BOSTON — Two men have been indicted on insurance fraud charges. “Two individuals have been indicted in connection with preying on people with substance use disorder, sending them to treatment facilities in Florida, and signing them up for false insurance policies in order to make a profit,” says A.G. Maura Healey’s office.
“Michael Hislop, 56, of Dorchester, and Timothy Hirsch, 38, formerly of Pelham, New Hampshire were indicted Monday by a Suffolk Statewide Grand Jury on the charges of Larceny over $250 (9 counts each), Filing a False Health Care Application or Claim (9 counts each), and Conspiracy (4 counts each).”
A statement from A.G. Healey reads, “People with substance use disorder deserve quality treatment options that are safe and effective.” “As the opioid epidemic continues to plague our communities, we’re not going to let patients and their families be exploited and have their pain further compounded. These indictments are an important step toward holding accountable those who are taking advantage of this growing public health crisis.”
Hislop worked in with detox and addiction treatment facilities in Florida. “Hislop was known as a “runner” and was paid a commission by the Florida facilities to produce patients. Hislop allegedly recruited patients at substance use disorder meetings in Massachusetts and conspired with Hirsch, an insurance agent, to write up false and misleading insurance policies on their behalf. The facility in Florida would then bill insurance companies for treatments,” says A.G. Healey’s office.
Approximately $730,000 in insurance claims was paid out as a result of the scam.
According to the AG’s Office, the victims who were enrolled in these policies stated that they had never seen the applications with their purported signature, that the address change was untrue, and were not even aware they were enrolled in these health insurance policies.
MORE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 25 Investigates: Mass. AG Launches Rehab Scam Investigation
©2021 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
