A Bayonne-based chiropractor has been indicted for allegedly submitting hundreds of fraudulent claims to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield (HBCBS) of New Jersey for health care services that he did not perform, according to Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Tracy M. Thompson.
Charles B. Boas, 73-years-old, of Matawan, was indicted on 261 counts of second-degree health care claims fraud, second-degree theft by deception, two counts of third-degree failure to file tax returns, and two counts of third-degree failure to pay taxes.
The indictment was returned by a grand jury on Dec. 10 of this year.
Alleged fraudulent insurance claims
The grand jury indictment alleges that between Dec. 12, 2016 and March 13, 2018, Boas submitted, or caused to be submitted, 261 fraudulent health care claims to HBCBS for payment or reimbursement for health care services purportedly rendered to patients on various dates.
According to the indictment, Boas obtained $75,000 or more from HBCBS by creating the false impression that he provided health care services to certain patients, when in fact he did not.
The indictment further alleges that Boas failed to pay $31,560.78 in income taxes for income earned in 2016 and failed to pay $65,525.79 in income taxes for income earned in 2017.
As a result, the defendant is charged with two counts of third-degree failure to file tax returns, and two counts of third-degree failure to pay taxes.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
This is not Boas’s first run-in with the Attorney General’s Office. In September of 2012, he previously plead guilty to insurance fraud against the same insurer in the amount of $13,000 from about October 2006 to August 2009. While three years probation was recommended as well the suspension of his license, it is not clear what the actual sentencing was.
Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Tracy M. Thompson noted that many cases have started with anonymous tips. People who are concerned about insurance cheating and have information about a fraud can report it anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-877-55-FRAUD, or visiting the website at www.NJInsurancefraud.org.
State regulations permit a reward to be paid to an eligible person who provides information that leads to an arrest, prosecution, and conviction for insurance fraud.
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