Article published November 10, 2009
Ex-Perrysburg doctor accused of fraudulent medical billing
By JENNIFER FEEHAN
BLADE STAFF WRITER
A former Perrysburg physician is to be arraigned Friday in Wood County Common Pleas Court on charges she submitted more than $900,000 in fraudulent insurance claims.
Dr. Stacey Royal, 44, whose address is listed in court records in McMurray, Pa., was indicted last week by a Wood County grand jury on one count each of telecommunications fraud, insurance fraud, theft, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Her case has been assigned to Judge Reeve Kelsey.
Melissa Freeman, an assistant Wood County prosecutor, said Dr. Royal billed insurance companies for more than $900,000 in allegedly bogus claims and received more than $100,000 in payments.
The indictment alleges she submitted the claims herself via computer.
"She submitted them electroni-cally," Ms. Freeman said. "She was the only staff member at the clinic. She did it all. She was receptionist, billing specialist, nurse, and doctor. She had other employees periodically, but for the most part she was the only one there."
Also indicted was Christopher Davis, 33, of 2129 Plum Leaf Lane, Toledo, who was charged with complicity to insurance fraud, complicity to theft, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. The indictment alleges Dr. Royal submitted claims to multiple insurers between October, 2004, and July of this year for Mr. Davis, who is described as a family member.Ms. Freeman said Dr. Royal and Mr. Davis have two children together and say they are married although prosecutors were unable to document that.
Ms. Freeman said there was no indication that Dr. Royal was not a competent physician while she was operating Royal Treatment Urgent Care on West South Boundary Street in Perrysburg.
The complaints that resulted in the criminal investigation originated with patients who noticed inconsistencies with the explanation of benefits they received from their health insurer for services rendered by Dr. Royal, Ms. Freeman said.
The lengthy indictment includes several alleged incidents in which the services billed to insurance companies, such as United Health Care and Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, far exceeded services performed.
In one instance, a patient seeking treatment for what she felt was water in her ear spent "no more than 10 minutes" with Dr. Royal but the doctor allegedly submitted two insurance claims for the patient, including a 30-minute office consultation, a one-hour physician service, a second visit, and a comprehensive pathology consultation.
In another case, Dr. Royal asked a patient if she could observe a surgery he was scheduled to have to repair his pacemaker, and although he agreed to that, Dr. Royal allegedly did not attend the surgery. Still, she allegedly submitted claims for more than $4,264, which was more than the $3,570 the surgeon who performed the surgery submitted.
According to the State Medical Board of Ohio's Web site, Dr. Royal graduated from the former Medical College of Ohio in 1998. Her doctor of medicine license was listed as "active in renewal."
Contact Jennifer Feehan at:
jfeehan@theblade.com
or 419-724-6129.
Permanent Link
|
|
 |
|
Search
advertisement
