ATLANTA — An Atlanta medical clinic is under federal investigation.
Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Jim Strickland has obtained evidence that points to a sweeping case of interstate fraud.
Strickland had already started investigating the Primera Medical Group when the FBI called to alert him it was conducting its own investigation.
Earlier this month, the FBI raided one of three target locations, executing search warrants. The feds wouldn't comment on the investigation, but Strickland heard plenty from some of the clinic patients.
Seth and Joan Applebaum signed up to be part of a clinical allergy study at Primera.
They gave blood and expected a readout on potential allergies, all at no cost to them. They received no results, but their insurance company received plenty of bills. The Applebaums showed Strickland a copy of their insurance documents. In addition to charging for the visit, Joan Applebaum pointed out something odd.
"There's two other dates on there like we're being treated for allergies, and we didn't get treated. We didn't get anything,” she said.
The form shows Blue Cross was billed for three allergy treatments apiece. Each one was $3,600. Blue Cross actually paid out a little more than $2,000.
"I feel violated from it," Joan Applebaum said.
The insurance form also lists the doctor as Jennifer Rooke. Dr. Rooke is a Morehouse faculty member.
She issued a statement saying, “They basically stole my professional identity ... to bill insurance companies fraudulently. I have never ever been associated in any way with Primera.”
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Primera used test marketing and survey companies to recruit participants, including Cunningham Research Group, near Daytona, Florida.
No one from the company would go on camera, but confirmed it has severed ties with Primera. Strickland obtained a letter from the company to Primera explaining that some of their test recruits voiced extreme concern and anger over insurance charges ranging from $8,000 to $15,000.
Robin and Robert Harbuck are two of those concerned Florida test subjects. They and dozens of others had blood drawn at a Hampton Inn near Daytona's NASCAR track.
The Harbucks were shocked to see what Primera claimed it had done for them when it filed for insurance reimbursement.
"There was a whole bunch of charges that said injections and I’m thinking, wait a minute, injections? I didn't get any injections," Robert Harbuck told Strickland.
The Harbucks did get allergy test results. The person listed as the physician is Shu Kothari. But Kothari is not a physician, he's an Atlanta chiropractor with a forgery conviction. He's also listed as the CEO of Primera Medical.
Strickland caught up with him in front of an Atlanta condominium.
"I'd like to ask you about Primera Medical. Why were you raided by the FBI, sir?" Strickland asked.
"I'm really not sure. You'll have to speak with my attorney,” Kothari said
.
He said he had no other comment, then fled from the camera into a men's bathroom. His business attorney says they've hired criminal counsel.
Strickland obtained documents listing nearly 1,600 test subjects recruited from Dallas, Tampa, Charlotte, Phoenix, San Francisco and other cities.
A source told Strickland the company’s goal was to collect $15 million in insurance payments.
No charges have been filed yet in this case.
Cox Media Group
