Jacksonville Chiropractor Arrested for Fraudulent Billing Scheme
Chiropractor Steven Rhodes faces a maximum of five years in prison after being arrested for a fraudulent billing scheme targeting multiple insurance companies.
Jeff Atwater, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, announced the arrest earlier this week.
Ocean View Health, Inc., a Jacksonville Beach medical clinic owned by Rhodes, was used to generate fraudulent or inflated invoices. Allegations include charges for treatments never provided to clients, the submission of inflated numbers of treatments when medical treatment was provided, and the use of unlicensed staff in performing medical services.
“This kind of fraudulent activity places honest, hard-working Floridians at risk not only financially, but also physically,” said CFO Atwater. “I am proud of our investigative team for uncovering this scam and holding this fraudster accountable for his misdeeds.”
Insurance carriers affected by the scam include Kemper, State Farm, Nationwide, Esurance, Progressive, United Health, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Rhodes was booked into the Duval County Jail and released on bail.