UPDATE: Medical providers charged with overbilling at Clarksville veterans home

Update: Charges have been dismissed and expunged against the doctor in the first case. His name has been removed from the report.

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLENOW) – On Tuesday, the day before Veterans Day, the state announced indictments against two doctors and an office manager accused of billing the Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes system for services that investigators said they didn’t provide.

An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office resulted in the indictments of the first doctor, and of Dr. Robert M. North and his wife Lisa L. North, according to a state news release.

Charges against the first doctor have since been dismissed and expunged.

In the second case, investigators found that Medical Psychology Consultants wrongfully obtained payments totaling $2,392, according to the release. Dr. Robert M. North, the owner, was contracted to provide mental health services to residents at the Humboldt, Clarksville and Murfreesboro facilities. On Sept. 14, 2016, Lisa L. North, office manager and wife of Dr. North, became the registered owner of MPC.

Investigators are also questioning an additional $4,654 in payments to MPC, which appears to be based in Shelbyville.

Dr. North and Lisa North were each indicted on one count of theft over $1,000, the release said.

The investigation was initiated after the Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes Board reported suspected billing issues related to contract service providers, said Melanie Cook, spokesperson for TSVH. Since it’s an active court case, she couldn’t make further comment.

“The Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes must do a better job of verifying that they are only paying for services that are actually provided,” state Comptroller Justin P. Wilson said in the release. “The facilities should keep better records such as sign-in information and notes on when services start and end. Invoices should be reviewed to ensure there are no discrepancies and that vendors are only paid once. I’m pleased to note that the TSVH board has indicated they have implemented policies and procedures to correct these problems.”

To view the investigative report, click here.

If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800-232-5454, or file a report online at: tncot.cc/fraud.