Robert Barrow and Angela Barrow operated the Your Doctor's Office clinic in west Little Rock.
Dr. Robert Barrow of Little Rock pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Little Rock to conspiring to commit health care fraud that cost health insurance companies $2.2 million.
The 62-year-old, who owned and operated Your Doctor’s Office medical clinic, admitted that he conspired with Billy Marc Young, a local massage therapist, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Chris Thyer.
Barrow referred patients to Young. Young’s services were then billed to health insurers under Barrow’s provider number as if they were physical therapy — even at times when Barrow himself was out of the state or out of the country in places like Las Vegas, Hawaii and London, the news release said.
“In the plea agreement, Dr. Barrow admitted that he abused his position of trust and that his scheme victimized health insurers and former patients alike in that some former patients bore out-of-pocket expenses (for example, co-payments) believing that they were receiving physical therapy,” the news release said.
Young pleaded guilty in April 2014. His sentencing date is set for Dec. 17, and he faces up to five years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of probation.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Barrow will pay up to $702,361 in restitution to Medicare and Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Cross and up to $100,000 to former patients who bore out-of-pocket expenses believing that they were receiving physical therapy, the news release said. Young also has been paying on the restitution amount, but the exact figure wasn’t immediately available Tuesday. Barrow would be responsible for the entire amount if Young stops paying.
In exchange, the United States has agreed to dismiss all remaining charges against Barrow and his wife, Dr. Angela Barrow, who had been indicted by a federal grand jury indicted along with her husband in April 2014.
Robert Barrow faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and up to three years of probation. Under the terms of the plea agreement reached with prosecutors, federal guidelines suggest a likely sentence of 37-46 months.
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