Prison Time for Dr. Diana McCutcheon?

It wasn't that long ago you saw her face on a Dr. Hicks Boulevard billboard. Along with her then-husband, Florence attorney Tom McCutcheon, they encouraged you to look better with lasers--to do it for yourself! Now Dr. Diana McCutcheon's face will be plastered on some online mug shot site; she's pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare and Blue Cross-Blue Shield.

From a Federal Court press release:

McCutcheon conducted the fraud through her medical clinics in Elgin and Lexington in North Alabama. According to the indictment and McCutcheon’s plea agreement, she operated a scheme to defraud Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and Medicare between 2007 and 2011 by fraudulently billing for the removal of multiple skin lesions on patients who had received cosmetic laser and other treatments for various skin conditions. The conditions included sun spots, age spots and wrinkles and were not covered by insurance.

Dr. Diana McCutcheon

McCutcheon conducted the fraud through her medical clinics in Elgin and Lexington in North Alabama. According to the indictment and McCutcheon’s plea agreement, she operated a scheme to defraud Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and Medicare between 2007 and 2011 by fraudulently billing for the removal of multiple skin lesions on patients who had received cosmetic laser and other treatments for various skin conditions. The conditions included sun spots, age spots, and wrinkles and were not covered by insurance.

What kind of sentence may we expect for Dr. McCutcheon? Last month, two Miami physicians received 10 year sentences in Federal prison; however, their fraud involved almost ten times the proceeds that McCutcheon reportedly took in.

Sadly, many of her patients are now left without a doctor, but what after her release? Some physicians are allowed to again practice while others are not. It will be quite the ongoing story...

Related post: Lexington Medical Clinic Closes

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