Former Doctor Sentenced To Prison For Medicare Fraud

Friday, April 20th 2007, 2:53 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A former Alva doctor who pleaded guilty to Medicare fraud is being sentenced to more than three years in prison and must repay more than a half million dollars.

Federal prosecutors say Doctor Gregory Glase Pinegar admitted sending false bills to Medicare from January 2000 through May 2005 for the prescription drugs Procrit and Remicade.

Procrit is used to treat anemia and Remicade is used to treat Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Prosecutors say Pinegar billed Medicare for more than twice the amount of the drugs he ordered during the time in question.

Pinegar was sentenced to 33 months in prison and must pay more than $543,500 in restitution.

Pinegar pleaded guilty in October and surrendered his medical license.