Columbus, OH – A Columbus doctor was recently ordered to pay $170,000 in restitution to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) after pleading guilty to workers’ compensation fraud and forgery, both fourth degree felonies.
After receiving two allegations from a managed care organization (MCO) concerning Lawrence E. Wells, D.C., billing for services not rendered, BWC opened an investigation. Throughout the investigation, evidence showed that Dr. Wells billed BWC for services that were not administered and overcharged for services that resulted in overpayment. The evidence collected consisted of statements from patients and medical records showing Dr. Wells was out of state when he billed services.
Wells’ criminal scheme also consisted of creating false and misleading office notes submitted to MCOs and BWC.
On July 17, 2023, a Franklin County judge accepted Wells’ guilty plea to fourth degree felonies of workers’ compensation fraud and forgery. The judge ordered Wells to pay $170,000 in restitution and one year of community control.
As a result of the investigation, Wells has been convicted of several offenses and will no longer be able to provide services to BWC claimants in the future.
Source: Ohio BWC