(Host) A federal grand jury has indicted a Burlington eye surgeon on 80 counts of federal health care fraud. The indictment against Doctor David Chase was announced on Thursday by the U.S. Attorney’s office and the Vermont Attorney General’s office.
Chase is accused of recommending and performing unnecessary cataract surgeries, according to Attorney General William Sorrell:
(Sorrell) “It’s a scheme to defraud health care benefit programs – including Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance companies – of more than one million dollars.”
(Host) The indictment alleges that Chase victimized at least 250 patients between 1996 to 2003. The 68-year-old doctor is also charged with maintaining false or misleading medical records. Sorrell says the investigation continues:
(Sorrell) “If there are witnesses that have information that would be of interest to us – hat meaning the Attorney General’s office and the U.S. Attorney’s office – to be please be in touch with us because we remain open to obtaining more evidence concerning Dr. Chase.”
(Host) If convicted, Chase could face up to ten years in prison on each count. Chase’s state medical license was suspended last year.