Psychiatrist Gets Jail Term for Houston PWC Scheme

Houston

A psychiatrist has been sentenced to prison and ordered to pay more than $20 million in restitution for his role in a multi-million-dollar power wheelchair scheme.

At a Dec. 5 sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal sentenced Dr. Lewis Gottlieb to six-and-a-half years in federal prison without parole. He must also pay more than $20.6 million in restitution to the government and forfeit an additional $19 million in proceeds and property derived from the scheme.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, Gottlieb signed hundreds of CMNs for power wheelchairs in exchange for $200 kickbacks from numerous DME owners and individuals who recruited Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries, the majority of whom did not qualify under program guidelines.

Access Medical Supply, Senior’s Comfort Care Medical Supply, Thurman Family Medial Supply and 1st Choice Medical Equipment and Supply were among the DME companies that paid kickbacks for CMNs, officials said.

In addition to receiving kickbacks, Gottlieb required each beneficiary that recruiters brought in to sign a form indicating they were in need of psychiatric services and authorizing him to bill Medicare. If they refused, Gottlieb refused to sign the CMN authorizing the power chair.

Several other DME owners convicted in connection with the scheme are scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 20.