Con-Artists In The Neuropathy World

Today's post from watchdog.org (see link below) is an interesting one for all neuropathy patients who may be seduced by the claims of various individuals and commercial clinics to be able to cure neuropathy. In this case, a chiropractor ended up behind bars for giving and charging for unnecessary nerve block injections. The problem is that neuropathy treatments are a huge grey area for desperate patients. When regular treatments have little or no effect, people are tempted by the headlines of both alternative practitioners, as well as chiropractors (who in many countries are seen as perfectly legitimate). The dilemma arises when clinics use treatments that are not officially approved but do seem to work for some people and this covers the whole spectrum from herbal supplements to injections, electrical stimulation and the rest. So what do you do when faced by what seem to be promising and credible adverts. The first thing is to avoid clinics that claim to be able to cure neuropathy - they can't - at best they may be able to help relieve some of the symptoms. Secondly, you should both consult your own doctor and do as much of your own background checking and research as possible. Even then, you run the risk of being ripped off and your health put at risk. However, if a treatment doesn't work for you, it may not be the fault of the doctor or clinician - that's just the nature of neuropathy - what works for some is useless for others and that's why malafide con-artists find it so easy to work in the field. It's just the same with cancer, where exaggerated claims can be a waste of time or a danger to your health. In the end, 'let the buyer beware' - not everybody is fake but fakes do exist. Best get as much considered advice from the regular medical world as possible.

Striking a Nerve
By Larry Benson / February 13, 2015

Medicare does not pay for experimental or investigational procedures, treatments or alternative medicine. According to an article published by The Kansas City Star, a former chiropractor from Missouri was aware of that stipulation within Medicare policy, but nonetheless billed the government benefits program for more than $3 million in experimental procedures performed on patients with neuropathy.

According to the story, the former owner of a chiropractic office in Kansas City performed nerve block injections that were not medically necessary to many of his clinic’s patients, who happened to be Medicare beneficiaries. (That’s certainly convenient.) Over a three-year period of time, the former chiropractor received $879,582 for the unneeded services.

Further research revealed that the chiropractor’s clinic provided the nerve blocking procedure during a time when Medicare had no specific coverage guidelines for neuropathy treatments. Apparently, he didn’t investigate whether or not Medicare considered the treatment to be necessary for patients with neuropathy and billed Medicare even though the procedure was not supported by medical research. (Well, he had some nerve.)

The 59-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. He was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for his fraudulent claims and surrendered his license to practice.

This former chiropractor’s illegal actions definitely struck a nerve with the government and probably his patients, as well. (Let’s hope he didn’t endanger any lives with the unnecessary treatment.) While neuropathy can cause the loss of sensation, it appears that this fraudster is going to feel the full effects of the painful reality that he is now considered a criminal.

http://watchdog.org/199838/striking-a-nerve/