Murfreesboro psychologist faces federal healthcare fraud charges

Dec 17, 2018 at 03:24 pm by Voice Wire

Tennessee

Donald M. McCoy, 52, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was arrested Friday by federal and state agents and charged with two counts of healthcare fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee. 

According to the criminal complaint, McCoy is a licensed psychologist by the State of Tennessee and is an authorized TennCare provider who provides individual psychotherapy and family psychotherapy services to patients—usually minors—in the care of the Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”).  The complaint alleges that between January 2014 and December 7, 2018, McCoy billed for more hours of services than can physically be provided in any given day and received over $2.16 million from TennCare based on those claims.

The complaint alleges that an investigative analysis conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation determined that on multiple occasions, McCoy submitted claims for psychotherapy services that totaled more than 24 hours per day, some even exceeding 48 hours and 72 hours per day.  The analysis also determined that McCoy billed for services purportedly rendered on more than 200 weekends and major federal holidays, including New Year’s Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas day, among others.  The complaint further alleges numerous times McCoy billed for family psychotherapy sessions involving patients in DCS custody, which never occurred. 

If convicted, McCoy faces up to 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine on each count.

This case was investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Booth and Sarah Bogni are prosecuting the case. 

The charges are merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Sections: Crime & Safety