The owner and operator of a Louisiana medical clinic, Adrian Dexter Talbot, M.D., was indicted last month on charges of prescribing and distributing over 1.2 million doses of medically unnecessary controlled substances including oxycodone and morphine. In addition to the drug charge, Talbot is also being charged with healthcare fraud given that many of these prescriptions were billed back to Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, costing the healthcare system millions.
According to a Department of Justice press release, Talbot and one of his employees allegedly “pre-signed prescriptions to be distributed to individuals there without seeing or examining those individuals” with court records dating back to 2015. By forgoing routine examinations, Prosecutors claim that Talbot and his employees were not only putting their patients’ health in danger in dispensing highly-addictive opioids, but also defrauding American tax-payers and insurance companies.
Until these allegations are tried in court, Talbot remains innocent until proven otherwise. His initial court appearance will take place on September 10, reports Newsweek. If found guilty for both counts of drug distribution and healthcare fraud, Talbot could face up to 30 years in federal prison.
If you or someone in your medical practice is under investigation for healthcare fraud, it is important to consult with a defense attorney that specializes in health care fraud to prepare against a similar indictment. To set up a confidential and complimentary consultation with the team at Padula Law, call (305) 455-5206.
