Doctor in Chiayi Detained for Vaccination Fraud and $60M NHI Card Scam
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2022/05/23 08:03
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August 5, 2021, United Daily News / Reporter Bu Minzheng / Jiayi real-time report
A clinic operated by a Dr. Huang was recently reported for long-term fraudulent use of National Health Insurance (NHI) cards when patients came in for vaccinations. Yesterday, prosecutors from the Jiayi District Prosecutor’s Office directed the Investigation Station, along with the NHI Administration, to search Huang’s clinic for evidence. Preliminary estimates indicate illegal gains of up to NT$60 million. Dr. Huang and others were taken in for questioning. After interrogation, Huang was charged with fraud and forgery of documents, and prosecutors applied to the court for his detention. The court held a detention hearing this morning.
It is understood that since 2010, whenever patients visited Huang’s clinic for publicly funded vaccines such as the flu shot, Huang would take advantage of swiping their NHI cards to check their identities—knowing they were not there for medical consultations—to fraudulently bill the NHI system. In some cases, he double-swiped cards to claim false medical expenses. The NHI Administration detected irregularities during routine audits and recently reported the case to prosecutors.
After receiving the report, the prosecutor directed the Jiayi Investigation Station to investigate, interview relevant patients, and gather evidence. Yesterday, a search warrant was executed with the NHI Administration’s Southern Regional Office at Huang’s clinic and another location. Medical records and related documents were seized, and Huang, along with a nurse surnamed Zhong from the clinic, were summoned for questioning.
During the investigation, prosecutors discovered that Huang’s clinic was also administering COVID-19 vaccines and will investigate whether he similarly exploited these vaccination opportunities to fraudulently swipe NHI cards.
After questioning, the prosecutor determined that Huang, the clinic’s owner, was suspected of using falsified business documents and fraudulently obtaining assets, with estimated illegal gains of NT$60 million. Given the severity of the charges and concerns over witness tampering or evidence destruction, the prosecutor applied to the Jiayi District Court for Huang’s detention and isolation. Other defendants were released.
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