Crestwood Clinic Convicted in Federal Health Care Fraud Scheme

A doctor at a Crestwood chiropractic clinic was convicted of health care fraud following a federal investigation, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

Dr. Anthony Calandro, and the Chiropractic Accident and Wellness Center of Crestwood, 9109 Watson Rd., billed insurance companies for services they never performed. Two undercover investigations by the F.B.I. revealed the individuals billed multiple companies from 2006 to 2011 for thousands of false claims for appointments that patients missed, as well as x-rays that were not taken, according to the news release.

“Since health insurance companies would not reimburse Chiropractic Center if a claim indicated the patient had missed an appointment and had not received a billable service, they falsely indicated that a billable service had been provided to patients,” the release notes.

Calandro was first indicted in late July.

Calandro and the clinic were each convicted of one felony count of health care fraud, in addition to at least three counts of making false statements. His sentencing is scheduled for February.

Calandro’s assistant, Sherry Rueter, pled guilty in October to four felony counts of making false statements, according to the release. She will be sentenced in January.

A conviction for one count of health care fraud carries a 10-year maximum penalty, or fines up to $250,000. The clinic could be fined up to $500,000 per count, according to the release.