Louisiana Doctor Indicted in $32.7 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

Dr. Michael W. Dole is charged with defrauding Medicare of over $32.7 million by submitting fraudulent claims, according to DOJ.Photo byOnline MarketingonUnsplash

A federal grand jury in Lafayette, Louisiana, has indicted Dr. Michael W. Dole, 59, of Alexandria, for his alleged role in a scheme to defraud Medicare of more than $32.7 million by submitting fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary urine drug testing services, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced today.

According to the indictment, Dr. Dole, who owned and operated a pain management practice in Alexandria, allegedly billed Medicare from January 2010 through July 2023 for definitive urine drug testing on routinely over 22 drug classes from nearly all his patients, despite no documentation indicating the necessity of testing for those drugs.

Medicare is reported to have reimbursed Dole over $11.7 million for these unnecessary tests. The indictment also alleges that Dole used the proceeds from the fraudulent claims for personal expenses, according to the DOJ.

This case is part of the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, which has charged more than 5,400 defendants with collectively defrauding federal health care programs and private insurers of more than $27 billion since its inception in 2007, according to the DOJ.

The investigation is being conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the FBI New Orleans Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

Dole faces one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and five counts of health care fraud. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison for each count.

Notably, an indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.