Charlotte area physician assistant convicted of fraud scheme involving genetic testing: DOJ

CHARLOTTE ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — – A physician assistant has been sentenced for an alleged $10 million Medicare fraud scheme, according to Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Colby Edward Joyner, 37, of Monroe, was sentenced to 6 years and prison and ordered to pay more than $3.6 million in restitution. This is after he was convicted last June of healthcare fraud and making false statements related to healthcare matters.

According to court documents, Joyner worked as a physician assistant in the Charlotte area between 2018 and 2019. He was hired as an independent contractor for a physician staffing and telemedicine company.

Officials say Joyner fraudulently signed prescriptions for genetic testing, in particular for cancer genomic and pharmacogenetic, for over 600 people with Medicare in North Carolina. These tests were not medically necessary, and Joyner had never met any of these people, either having brief phone conversations or no interaction with them.

According to authorities, the telemedicine company would send Joyner filled-out prescription forms for patients pre-selected for genetic testing. Joyner would then sign and return the forms, receiving $12-$15 for each consultation that he claimed to have performed.

Court documents state that Joyner’s alleged scheme resulted in $10 million in fraudulent Medicare reimbursement claims and over $3.6 million in payments.

During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. said Joyner “abused his position of trust” and that his actions could make it harder for Medicare beneficiaries to get genetic testing.

Joyner is not in custody but has been ordered to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons once it is decided which prison he will be housed in.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division and Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) investigated the case.

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