Rochester Radiologist Sentenced For Defrauding Health Insurance Programs

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
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ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Thomas F. Stephenson, MD, 72, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of committing health care fraud, was sentenced to one year probation and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci. The defendant was also fined $25,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who handled the case, stated that Stephenson, a radiologist, owned and operated Westside Imaging in Rochester. From January 2007 to April 2010, the defendant engaged in a scheme to defraud Excellus Health, MVP Health and Medicare by double-billing certain x-rays. In total, Stephenson fraudulently sought reimbursements of approximately $135,961.77.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen.