News

December 7, 2008

W-B chiropractor facing fraud charges

Insurance Fraud Task Force accuses him of fraudulently billing $34,984 in services.

WILKES-BARRE – A doctor turned himself in to authorities Friday on allegations he fraudulently billed his patients’ insurance companies for $34,984 in services.

Stephen Spiccioli, 39, who operates Spiccioli Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center, was arraigned Friday on 28 counts of insurance fraud and 17 counts each of theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

He is released on $50,000 unsecured bail.

Investigators searched the doctor’s office at 215 N. Sherman St. in Wilkes-Barre and seized billing records.

Spiccioli, of 6 Autumn Drive, Mountain Top, is accused of defrauding insurers by over billing 12 different insurance companies, involving more than 20 of his patients, since October 2003, the criminal complaint states.

The complaint alleges when Spiccioli’s patients cancelled their appointments or did not show, patients’ insurers were billed in full.

According to an affidavit:

On Sept. 19, an attorney referred the case to Northeastern Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Task Force about an alleged insurance fraud perpetrated against insurance companies including: AIG, Donegal, Comp Service, Encompass, Erie, Excalibur, Great American Alliance, Lancer, Liberty Mutual, Ohio Casualty Group, Pacific Employers Insurance and State Worker’s Insurance Fund.

Detective Kevin Costello of the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office, who was assigned to the task force on Oct. 1, interviewed Spiccioli’s secretary about the insurance fraud allegations.

The employee confirmed the doctor would bill insurance companies when patients cancelled appointments or were no-shows. Spiccioli also used patients’ names to bill on dates his office was closed for reasons such as weather or personnel days.

Spiccioli failed to notify the companies or attempt to return money paid to him.

An Oct. 16 surveillance video shows the doctor ordered an employee to submit fraudulent bills or monetary remuneration.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 15 at Central Court.

Jen Marckini, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210.

Tweet	Follow @TLnews