This weekly roundup features arrests, criminal proceedings, and other reports alleging improper or questionable conduct by healthcare professionals.
An investigation by the federal Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that nearly 1,000 healthcare providers remained enrolled illegally in state Medicaid programs despite having been terminated, or continued to accept Medicaid payments after termination. Reasons for termination ranged from licensure issues to criminal convictions. The 21st Century Cures Act included provisions barring state Medicaid payments to providers terminated from the programs and forbidding them from participating in managed care groups. Illegal payments uncovered by OIG totalled more than $50 million. Managed care contracts in only eight states had the required provision that prevents terminated providers from participating, OIG investigators also found.
A Connecticut physician is facing charges for allegedly coughing on other healthcare professionals and disregarding social distancing measures aimed at preventing spread of COVID-19. Witnesses told police that Cory Edgar, MD, an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery and practicing physician at UConn Health in Farmington, intentionally coughed on two other UConn Health employees. Officials said in a statement that "witnesses and medical workers believed he was purposely disregarding space and safety concerns involving the Coronavirus pandemic." UConn police issued a misdemeanor breach of peace summons to Edgar. (Associated Press)
The June 1 murder trial for William Husel, DO, the Ohio doctor accused of killing hospital patients with opioid overdoses, has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. No new date for the trial was set. (The Columbus Dispatch)
In New Jersey, a nurse was accused of sexually assaulting an underage patient in his care. Edmondo DiPaolo, a private nurse located in Pemberton Township, allegedly assaulted a 16-year-old girl with developmental disabilities including a degenerative brain condition. Police began an investigation after family of the patient, who is in a wheelchair, found that she suffered a broken femur. DiPaolo is charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree attempted aggravated assault, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
A dentist in Washington state was charged with first-degree arson after setting his office on fire, burning medical gowns and masks in the process. Mohammad "Matt" Rafie, DDS, allegedly saturated the protective equipment with some kind of accelerant, and then started fires in several exam rooms. Rafie was being evicted from his office building for failure to pay rent. The deputy prosecutor on the case said Rafie's choice to use medical protective equipment this way in the midst of a pandemic "adds to the appalling nature of his crimes." (The Seattle Times)