Dr. Joel N. Caldwell
/ photo: NYSP
UTICA -- A local doctor is under arrest after police say he defrauded the government and stole tens of thousands of dollars from Medicare and Medicaid.
State Police in Utica tell CNY Central that on Thursday officials concluded a 27-month investigation with the arrest of 38-year-old Dr. Joel N. Caldwell of Oneida. Caldwell is accused of fraudulently overcharging Medicaid for more than $14,750 and Medicare for more than $43,150. Police say Caldwell is psychologist and an independent contractor who visited health care facilities in Oneida, Madison, and Onondaga Counties, and the alleged overbillings took place between August 2005 and November 2010.
Caldwell is charged with two counts of felony third degree grand larceny. He was arraigned in Town of Clay Court and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to reappear in court on August 2 at 5:00 p.m.
Caldwell’s arrest came on the same day that another local doctor was accused of falsely writing prescriptions in the name of his wife, which were in turn sold for money. It also came on the heels of a new government report that projects national health care costs to hit $4.6 trillion by 2020. Should doctors go through more rigorous checks to make sure these sorts of alleged crimes don’t happen? Or are they just isolated incidents? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.
