Chuck Whitlock - Mediscams: Dangerous Medical Practices and Health Care Frauds—and How to Prevent Them from Harming You and Your Family

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I encourage you to actively participate in improving your own health care. You must be responsible for determining whats appropriate for your needs. The information, data, and statements contained in MediScams are not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice and opinions of your physician or other qualified health care provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding your condition.

Nothing contained in MediScams is intended for diagnosis or treatment. The material in MediScams is general in nature and is intended for informational use only. The information contained herein is not meant to imply endorsement or recommendation. It is not intended, and must not be taken, to be the provision or practice of medical, nursing, or professional health care advice or services in any jurisdiction. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of any medical treatments, nor is the information intended as medical advice for individual problems or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of taking a particular drug, supplement, treatment, or other medical-related service.

In no event will the Publisher, Author, Editors, or Distributors of this book be held liable for any decision made or action taken by you or anyone else in reliance upon the information provided in MediScams. In no event shall the Publisher, Author, Editors, or Distributors be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, punitive or any other monetary or other damages, fees, fines, penalties, or liabilities arising out of or relating in any way to the information provided in MediScams.

The stories youre about to read are real. However, some victims names, dates, and specific locations were changed to disguise the identity of some of those involved. In some cases, this was done to protect the anonymity of victims who are embarrassed or fearful of retribution since they stepped forward to report the crime or testify against their perpetrators. In other cases, the perpetrator has not been tried in a court of law yet, or a known con artist is still wanted, and I dont want to jeopardize the case. If a victim has committed suicide, there is no reason to cause the family additional grief or notoriety. None of the changes materially affects the stories or lessons to be learned.

To the physicians, surgeons, nurses, and other trained,

professional medical practitioners who are dedicated and perform

their services to the highest possible standards,

in spite of the tremendous pressures to do otherwise.

A book about health care is a daunting undertaking. Just sifting through the volumes of medical records, police files, and scientific data could take a lifetime. Thanks to the following people, the job of writing this book was made manageable. Due in large measure to their respective contributions, I hope MediScams will address the health care concerns and interests of people seeking medical care for years to come.

Special thanks to my brother, Bill Whitlock, for being there when our Ma went through her medical ordeal and for reliving the experience in such great detail for me.

This book wouldnt have been possible without Jim Schutte, Ph.D., Gail Wayper, and Candace Whitlock. Many thanks to my manager and friend, Peter Miller, and to Richard OConnor, my publishing editor.

My ongoing thanks to Oprah Winfrey and David Boul, who launched my television and true-crime writing careers.

My heartfelt appreciation to the following for their contributions: San Diego Deputy District Attorney Stacy Running; Stephen Barrett, M.D.; Attorney General Ben Chandler of the great state of Kentucky; Kentuckys Consumer Protection Division Director, Todd Leatherman; Ken Hunter, President of the Council of Better Business Bureaus; U.S.P.S. Inspector Bob Kuykendall; Homicide Detective Chris Peterson (Retired); producer extraordinaire John Stevens; John Dodes, D.D.S.; Bob McCoy; Vincent Bugliosi; Ben Wilson, M.D.; William Jarvis, Ph.D.; Sharene Rekow; Gerry Wilson; Tracy McLarney; Neil Kingery; C.J. Pederson; Phil Van Auken; Peter Unsinger, Ph.D.; Richard Brinkley; Maureen OBoyle; Ann Rule; Lavoyed Hudgins; John Hess, M.D.; Gene Koppenhaver; Lee Rooklin; Greg Branson; Russ Gorsline; Steve Anderson; Trace Skeen; Daniel Highkin, M.D.; Frank Abagnale; FBI agents Alan J. Peters and Joanne Yakshe; Ted Doyle; David Kessler, C.F.E.; Faye OBryant; and Dan Mihalko, Chris Correal, and Marie Timms of the U.S. Postal Service. Thanks also to Alan James, Eric Epperson, Barbara Forster, and Nanci James.

This is only a partial list of all who responded to my plea for assistance. The list includes physicians, surgeons, police officers, prosecutors, friends in the media, and folks afflicted with almost every imaginable malady. Some suffer with terminal conditions; a few have gone into remission. Many have died.

I must also acknowledge the pain and suffering of the nameless, faceless victims of medical quackery. We share this collective work as part of our legacy.

As the attorney general for the state of Kentucky, its my sworn duty to prosecute crimes committed by people and companies who defraud and abuse our citizens. Being defrauded by a telemarketer or an investment scammer can rob a person of their money and trust, but being defrauded in the medical arena also can rob a person of their health or life.

When Chuck asked me to write a foreword for this book, I was very pleased. His continuous efforts to help consumers learn the tricks of the con artists are to be commended. Chucks journalistic investigations into white-collar crime are well known, as are his award-winning television reports on programs such as Extra, Hard Copy, and Inside Edition. He has shared his investigations and stories with hundreds of Kentucky consumers and law-enforcement professionals attending Scam Jams which my office sponsored, helping us to earn an award from the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators.

Among the most chilling of Chucks investigations are those involving patient abuse and Medicaid and Medicare fraud. His investigation exposing the failure of nursing homes to conduct state-required background checksresulting in their hiring Chuck, who was using the identity of a felonis truly disturbing. In addition, he has posed as a nursing-home administrator, recording Medicare providers offering substantial kickbacks and suggesting he allow unnecessary medical tests and treatments in order to make more money.

It is critical that we all learn as much as we can to protect ourselves. Education and public awareness are the keys to keeping you and your loved ones safe.

The Honorable Albert B. Chandler III

Attorney General, State of Kentucky

(The Office of the Kentucky Attorney General consulted with the Kentucky Executive Branch Ethics Branch prior to publication of this Foreword. The Office of the Kentucky Attorney General does not receive and is not responsible for the disposition of any funds paid for the purchase of this book.)