The previous operator of Brookfield-based medical clinic
Therapeutic Nook, LLC has been ordered to repay over $2.3 million after he allegedly submitted a number of false claims by way of the Wisconsin Medicaid program.
Dr. Siamak Arassi was charged with two counts of violating the False Claims Act in U.S. District Courtroom for the Jap District of Wisconsin in December of 2019. Arassi “willfully and deliberately” falsified billing statements and information to fraudulently obtain funds from Medicaid for substance abuse therapies that weren’t really given to sufferers who had been billed for such therapies, in keeping with a felony criticism filed within the case.
Arassi operated the Therapeutic Nook at 19115 W. Capitol Drive. The clinic offered therapy for opioid dependancy, together with medical assisted therapy, behavioral well being providers, and household providers.
A former affected person of the clinic alleged that as a part of his therapy, the Therapeutic Nook ordered administered photographs of Vivitrol, a medicine used within the therapy of alcohol or opioid dependence. Vivitrol is run by a well being care skilled to sufferers month-to-month and reimbursed by Wisconsin Medicaid at roughly $1,600 per injection.
The criticism states that after the person’s therapy was accomplished, the Therapeutic Nook saved on ordering injections underneath his identify. A complete of 5 extra injections had been allegedly ordered and by no means administered.
“The Therapeutic Comer routinely payments Medicaid for injections and different drugs which can be by no means administered to the person for whom the drugs are prescribed,” the criticism states. “By presenting and utilizing such false and fraudulent claims, the Therapeutic Comer is defrauding Medicaid, a program that’s funded collectively by america and the State of Wisconsin.”
This apply created a stockpile of extra Vivitrol, which Therapeutic Nook administered to non-Medicaid sufferers for money—typically paying Therapeutic Nook over $1,000 out of pocket monthly. Therapeutic Nook additionally administered free samples of Vivitrol to Medicaid sufferers however nonetheless submitted claims to Medicaid for reimbursement.
Arassi has been ordered to repay a complete of $2,346,545. The Therapeutic Nook has closed for good, in keeping with a discover on the clinic’s web site.
“I acquired sick and bored with the vindictive division of justice, division of well being and household providers in Madison, medical board of Wisconsin, and division of high quality assurance they a bunch of gangsters all working underneath the identical roof and the identical constructing in Madison they usually’re not there that will help you they’re there to just be sure you fail they solely assist their very own our bodies it’s an unique membership disgrace on them for treating me so badly,” mentioned Arassi on a submit made on his web site.
Arassi couldn’t be reached for extra remark.
