Diana McCutcheon: Whose Face is Tight Now?

Diana McCutcheon, Lauderdale County physician, has been sentenced to one year in Federal prison. Her defense attorney Robert Tuten claims billing error in coding of treatment for lesions...and wrinkles. In fact, while certain lasers do more than double duty in removing lesions, age spots, and redness from skin, it's an entirely different laser that's used for face tightening. The standard fee for these treatments is also quite different. In other words, you want a tight face, you gotta pay more.

So, do we believe Dr. McCutcheon's tale that it was all coding error? No. Does she deserve prison? That's not for us to decide, but considering sentences for male physicians accused of the same crimes, she got off easy.

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Reward: The Hogan Cemetery in Colbert County has been repeatedly vandalized by individuals on four-wheelers. If you have any information on those responsible, please report it to the Sheriff's Department at 256-383-0741. We will offer a $100.00 reward to anyone supplying information that leads to the arrest and conviction of these thugs.

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While on the subject of four-wheelers, we have received several complaints from citizens of East Ridge in Killen that similar scoff laws regularly ride the streets there. Keep calling local authorities. We also suggest you have a camera ready and take pics of these youths. We're sure if someone accidentally hits one of these thugs that their parents will not hesitate to sue.

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Lauderdale escapee still at large: Terry Wayne Myers

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We do not yet have Judge Terry Dempsey's e-mail address. We will update this info next week so that individuals my weigh in on the sentencing of Franklin County killer Hershel Dale Graham.



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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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Congrats to Russellville on a new business: IGA



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What Can Dr. Diana McCutcheon Expect?

The formal announcement that Dr. Diana K. McCutcheon had been indicted for Medicare and other insurance fraud came as no surprise to many in Lexington or the surrounding communities in Lauderdale County. From physicians to Nurse Practitioners to laser technicians...one by one they had left McCutcheon's practice over the past few years, citing differences in vision...or sometimes worse.

The question on everyone's lips today is what can McCutcheon expect should she be convicted. Obviously no two judges will think alike on such matters, but we can look at others who have faced similar charges. Most over billing accusations have been leveled at hospitals, but a few have been lobbed at physicians. A doctor in Virginia served 18 months for fraud that occurred over a two year period from 2005 to 2007. Is this indicative of what McCutcheon might expect?

The second concern is repayment and fines. How hard pressed will McCutcheon be to repay 1.3 million? That figure may seem inconsequential compared to fines that are often levied against those convicted--not to mention the loss of her medical license. The aforementioned doctor in Virginia was forced to sit a second time for his medical exam, something those who have been in practice for many years do not find easy.

Others are asking what the Elgin-Lexington communities will do if they are deprived of a physician. Sadly, most insurance will not allow them to drive to Tennessee. Look for Rogersville and Florence physicians to pick up a number of patients...

Related post: Lexington Medical Clinic Closes

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Don't forget Larry Fisher and  Debra Glass will be at First Fridays tomorrow in downtown Florence. If you can't make it Friday, the pair will be at Ye Olde General Store across from the post office on Seminary Street Saturday morning with copies of their latest book. If you missed Volume 1 of Remembering Florence, we understand there are a limited number of these remaining.

Many thanks to Larry for taking the time to come back home to personally autograph these fantastic volumes. Thanks also to Debra for her tireless efforts in helping compile these wonderful memories.

Larry Fisher Fan Page

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Lexington Medical Clinic Closes

"I'll be here till I die." Dr. Diana McCutcheon referring to the Lexington Clinic in 2003.

Like life itself, the community of Lexington has always been full of troubles. For many years, ECM Hospital provided staff for the small clinic located in the business section of Lexington...when it could. Many physicians refused to man the outdated clinic and those who did soon left. Then Dr. Diana McCutcheon arrived.

McCutcheon was a 1982 graduate of the American University of the Caribbean, a small medical school based in St. Maarten and owned by DeVry University. The small college was founded in 1978 and is, according to Wikipedia:

"accredited by an obscure organization called the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM), an independent organization based in Ireland that accredits medical schools on behalf of several governments, including the governments of St. Maarten and the Netherlands Antilles."

Shortly before McCutcheon's arrival, the town built a modern facility to house it's public clinic. Located just north of town on the road to Tennessee, the new brick building and the matching drug store located next door were the pride of the rural community. Residents considered McCutcheon, an internist and former ER physician, a godsend. The town council even appointed Tom McCutcheon, the physician's then husband, the new municipal judge.

Diana Khadhiri McCutcheon herself felt so comfortable in the clinic that she wished to purchase it from the town. When mounting debt from water and sewer related issues caused the town to face a large shortfall, the town council agreed to sell the facility. McCutcheon immediately built an addition to house her growing cosmetic laser practice. Parking lots at the clinic and adjacent drug store were always full.

Soon the now 53 year-old Dr. McCutcheon opened a second location nine miles to the south in Elgin. Again, McCutcheon included a cosmetic laser clinic in the facility, also selling Obagi products. Beauty isn't cheap, but sources stated the physician still made the majority of her income from her medical services. Despite her success, Lexington residents said it wasn't unusual to see nursing staff performing gardening or other outside tasks after clinic hours.

Then in July of this year, patients arrived at the walk-in Elgin Quick Med to find it locked. Callers were told it was because of a staff shortage related to the July 4th holiday, and the facility soon reopened, but long-time patients were greeted by unfamiliar staff. Other patients then found the main facility in Lexington closed. Rumors abounded in the eastern end of Lauderdale County, but calls to the Lexington office were answered with only a recording stating the office was closed due to vacation season.

Several Lexington residents state they're upset by the current situation. They now have to drive several miles out of their way to see the physician they've come to claim as "theirs." No one knows how long the clinic will remain unmanned, and an anonymous source with the town says there are no funds with which to buy back the clinic, and if they did, would RegionalCare consider providing a new doctor?

While Lexington residents lament the apparent loss of their town doctor, some Sheffield residents are wondering why Dr. Christopher Parker Gay remains in practice...

To be continued Monday...



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