Jewish Eye Doctor Gets Jail Term For Medicare Fraud

Staten Island, NY - A former Meiers Corners ophthalmologist is staring at federal prison time after he admitted performing unnecessary surgery, falsifying medical records and bilking Medicare.

Dr. Joseph Mermelstein, 52, pleaded guilty yesterday in Brooklyn federal court to a count of conspiracy, stemming from a scheme in which he falsified patients' medical records and submitted phony health insurance claims to Medicare and other private insurance providers from 2000 to 2005

Under the plea deal, the former medical and surgical director of the Eye Institute of Staten Island faces up to five years in federal prison and three years of post-release supervision.

Dr. Mermelstein was ordered to pay a $250,000 fine and $70,000 in restitution.

He also will lose his license to practice medicine.

--
 Posted By Shlomah Shamos to VOS IZ NEIAS: