A Carroll ears, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon has agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations he made false Medicaid claims. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Dr. Tracey Wellendorf, of Wellendorf ENT in Carroll, conducted as many as 115 endoscopic sinus surgeries deemed improper under Medicaid regulations between Oct. 13, 2014 and Nov. 27, 2015. Curt Muller from the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says, “Medically unnecessary services pose potential harm to patients and place needless burdens on taxpayers who fund government health programs.” Wellendorf disagrees, saying the issue stems from differences of opinion concerning the way chronic sinus infections should be treated.
Wellendorf ENT does not admit to any wrongdoing in the agreement, and Wellendorf’s attorney, Mark Weinhardt, says settling was preferable to continuing an already lengthy legal issue.
Wienhardt notes no lawsuit of any kind was filed against his client regarding the investigation. Wellendorf adds none of the patients in question reported negative results from the procedures.
In addition to the $1 million settlement, Wellendorf has agreed to engage in enhanced compliance measures for the next three years, which will be reviewed quarterly by an independent organization. The settlement agreement and Wellendorf’s full statement concerning the investigation can be found included with this story on our website.
______
Wellendorf Settlement Agreement
Wellendorf’s Full Written Statement
