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[Reporters Ruan Yiyu and Cai Wenzheng / Changhua] Swiping your NHI card for medication? Beware of legal trouble!
A dermatologist in Xihu Township, Changhua County, Tang Xinjie, is suspected of colluding with a contracted pharmacy owner, Ye Qingtai, in a scheme of "fake consultations, real embezzlement," falsely reporting medical fees to the NHI Bureau. In exchange for providing their NHI cards, the public received free whitening, spot-removal ointments, and other medications. Ye’s wife, an elementary school teacher, even recruited several colleagues to participate in the "swipe-for-meds" scheme.
The Changhua District Prosecutors Office yesterday indicted Tang Xinjie and 27 others on fraud charges, with Tang and Ye facing recommended sentences.
**Fake Consultations, Real Embezzlement—Doctor and Pharmacist Face Sentencing**
Tang Xinjie’s dermatology clinic was locked tight yesterday afternoon. A relative stated they respect the judicial process but will pursue their rightful interests through proper channels. Meanwhile, the pharmacy next to the clinic had already relocated, with no further comments available.
The indictment revealed that Tang Xinjie and licensed pharmacist Ye Qingtai conspired to conduct "fake consultations, real embezzlement," fabricating patient records and submitting false claims to the NHI Bureau for consultation and treatment fees. To lure people into providing their NHI cards as "tools for the crime," the clinic waived registration fees, and the pharmacy offered free whitening, spot-removal, acne, allergy, and athlete’s foot ointments.
Investigations showed Tang joined the NHI system in July 2005 and began the scheme in September that year, continuing until early 2008 when it was uncovered. Each fraudulent claim ranged from NT$40 to NT$275, totaling over NT$57,000 in illicit gains.
Most shockingly, Ye Qingtai’s wife, an elementary school teacher, spread the word, recruiting five fellow teachers into the "swipe-for-meds" scheme. These teachers visited the clinic only once on its opening day, afterward simply providing their NHI cards for whitening ointments. Ye’s two daughters "swiped" their cards 60 to 70 times, and some individuals who never visited the clinic even had medical records.
During the investigation, Tang Xinjie admitted some patients never visited but claimed he prescribed based on relatives’ descriptions of symptoms, hence waiving registration fees.
However, prosecutors noted Tang billed the NHI Bureau without actual consultations, while other defendants, despite claiming legitimate medication needs, paid nothing. The crimes were deemed substantiated, leading to indictments. Prosecutors recommended sentences of one year and six months for Tang Xinjie and one year and two months for Ye Qingtai.
Source: http:/ / www. libertytimes. com. ……/ new/ apr/ 16/ today- life11. htm
Teachers Exploited Insurance for Cheap Ointments, 5 Indicted
A dermatologist in Xihu Township, Changhua County, Tang Xinjie, is suspected of colluding with a contracted pharmacy owner, Ye Qingtai, in a scheme of "fake consultations, real embezzlement," falsely reporting medical fees to the NHI Bureau. In exchange for providing their NHI cards, the public received free whitening, spot-removal ointments, and other medications. Ye’s wife, an elementary school teacher, even recruited several colleagues to participate in the "swipe-for-meds" scheme.
The Changhua District Prosecutors Office yesterday indicted Tang Xinjie and 27 others on fraud charges, with Tang and Ye facing recommended sentences.
**Fake Consultations, Real Embezzlement—Doctor and Pharmacist Face Sentencing**
Tang Xinjie’s dermatology clinic was locked tight yesterday afternoon. A relative stated they respect the judicial process but will pursue their rightful interests through proper channels. Meanwhile, the pharmacy next to the clinic had already relocated, with no further comments available.
The indictment revealed that Tang Xinjie and licensed pharmacist Ye Qingtai conspired to conduct "fake consultations, real embezzlement," fabricating patient records and submitting false claims to the NHI Bureau for consultation and treatment fees. To lure people into providing their NHI cards as "tools for the crime," the clinic waived registration fees, and the pharmacy offered free whitening, spot-removal, acne, allergy, and athlete’s foot ointments.
Investigations showed Tang joined the NHI system in July 2005 and began the scheme in September that year, continuing until early 2008 when it was uncovered. Each fraudulent claim ranged from NT$40 to NT$275, totaling over NT$57,000 in illicit gains.
Most shockingly, Ye Qingtai’s wife, an elementary school teacher, spread the word, recruiting five fellow teachers into the "swipe-for-meds" scheme. These teachers visited the clinic only once on its opening day, afterward simply providing their NHI cards for whitening ointments. Ye’s two daughters "swiped" their cards 60 to 70 times, and some individuals who never visited the clinic even had medical records.
During the investigation, Tang Xinjie admitted some patients never visited but claimed he prescribed based on relatives’ descriptions of symptoms, hence waiving registration fees.
However, prosecutors noted Tang billed the NHI Bureau without actual consultations, while other defendants, despite claiming legitimate medication needs, paid nothing. The crimes were deemed substantiated, leading to indictments. Prosecutors recommended sentences of one year and six months for Tang Xinjie and one year and two months for Ye Qingtai.
Source: http:/ / www. libertytimes. com. ……/ new/ apr/ 16/ today- life11. htm