Thomas F. Stephenson, MD, the New York radiologist who pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud last year, has been sentenced to one year of probation.
The 72-year-old Stephenson was also ordered to pay $25,000 in fines and perform 200 hours of community service, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.
Stephenson owned and operated Westside Imaging in Rochester, N.Y. He double-billed Excellus Health, MVP Health, and Medicare for x-rays from 2007 to 2010.
“It is an unfortunate fact that fraud directed at our health care system results in greater costs for everyone, including taxpayers,” U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. said back in July 2015, when Stephenson pleaded guilty. “As this case demonstrates, law enforcement will vigorously investigate such fraud and will prosecute anyone—including doctors—found to have perpetrated the crime.”
The total amount Stephenson fraudulently sought reimbursements for was more than $135,000. Previous RadiologyBusiness.com coverage of Stephenson’s case can be found here.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.