Warwick holistic health care center owners charged with $1.9 million in fraud

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The owners of a holistic health care center in Warwick have been charged in federal court with defrauding federal and private health care insurance providers out of $1.9 million.

Brandon Nowak, 32, of Providence, and Jason Simmons, 32, of Foster, co-owners of Alternative Integrated Medicine, LLC appeared in court to face charges of health care fraud conspiracy, health care fraud and filing false claims.

Both were released on unsecured bond.

The defendants are alleged to have submitted for payment claims for services that did not occur or were not covered, including infrared therapy, hot and cold therapy, therapeutic activity and self-care/home management training.

They are also alleged to have submitted reimbursement claims for acupuncture and evaluation and management office visits when the actual services were massages, which are not a covered service.

The company also allegedly billed for high complexity office visits without providing that level of service, modified codes on reimbursement forms, and billed for covered and non-covered services rendered by uncredentialled providers under provider numbers of credentialed providers.

The total payments the company received from government and private insurers as a result of these alleged actions was $1,872,330.