Respiratory Therapist Awarded $631K In Medicare Fraud Case
Tansi A. Casillas says her employer had her meet patients about treatment for sleep apnea and other breathing problems but Medicare would be later billed for a doctor's visit.
Fresno Bee:
Medicare Fraud Whistleblower Gets $631,200 From Fresno County Jury
Tansi A. Casillas, 51, of Fresno, alleged that her employer, Central California Faculty Medical Group, eliminated her position at University North Medical Specialty Center in retaliation for the fraud complaints she made and for refusing to perform medical services outside the scope of her respiratory care license. In her lawsuit, Casillas said doctors left the responsibility to her to have face-to-face evaluations with patients on continuous positive airway pressure, a treatment that keeps the airways open for people who have sleep apnea and other breathing problems. The patient and Medicare were later billed for a doctor’s visit, even though the patient was not seen by a doctor, the lawsuit said. (Anderson, 11/4)