St. Louis Nursing Home Doctor Pleads Guilty to Fraud
Dr. David Quang Pham, DPM, pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of criminal investigation of healthcare offenses relating to false billing to Medicare and Medicaid. The offense carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.
Dr. Pham treated residents at nursing homes and residences for elderly adults. The facilities he provided services to were: Abbey Care Center, Alexian Court Apartments, Beverly Farm (IL), Claru Deville Nursing Center, Columbia Convalescent Center (IL), Creve Coeur Manor, Delmar Gardens of Chesterfield, Four Fountains Convalescent Center (IL), Grand Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation, Hillside Manor Healthcare and Rehab Center, Normandy Nursing Center, Ozark Manor Residential Care Center, Parkview Apartments, Rancho Manor Health Care and Rehab Center, Rosewood Care Center (IL), St. Paul's Home (IL), St. Elizabeth Healthcare, The Cedars at the JCA, and University Forest Nursing Care Center.
After discovering he was being investigated for health care fraud, Dr. Pham created false treatment notes to support the claim that services that had been provided, when in fact they had not. Responding to a subpoena from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, these notes were provided. Dr. Pham, a podiatrist, allegedly submitted claims for treating the feet of patients who had undergone amputation prior to the date of service. He also falsely claimed to have provided services to nursing home residents who were hospitalized on the dates he reportedly provided his services. Dr. Pham's assistant, who is unlicensed as a physician or a nurse, was also allowed to provide services. Reportedly, Dr. Pham submitted false claims and medical records to Medicare and Medicaid for at least five years.
