Unlicensed physician convicted of Medicare fraud

An unlicensed physician has been convicted for his role in a scheme to bill Medicare for home patient care that was never provided.

 

A jury found Wilfred Griffith guilty of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and conspiracy to solicit and receive healthcare kickbacks. Griffith practiced out of a clinic in Livonia, Michigan, despite never obtaining a license to practice in the state. Griffith used a prescription pad that was pre-signed by a physician, Dwight Smith, who was also convicted last year of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. Smith was sentenced to three years in prison.

 

Prosecutors said Griffith referred Medicare beneficiaries to a home health company in exchange for kickbacks. That company was paid more than $680,000 from Medicare for patients referred by Griffith.