A podiatrist in Memphis, Tenn., has been convicted for a scheme to defraud Medicare and TennCare out of nearly $4 million in foot bath medication reimbursements.
From October 2018 to September 2021, Nathan Lucas, DPM, regularly prescribed antibiotic and antifungal drugs for foot baths based on reimbursement amounts rather than medical necessity, according to a March 18 news release from the Justice Department.
Dr. Lucas submitted nearly $4 million in claims and the two in-house pharmacies at his clinic, Advanced Foot & Ankle Care of Memphis, received more than $3 million in reimbursements.
He was convicted of five counts of healthcare fraud and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count. Sentencing is scheduled for June 20.