According to the Chicago Tribune, “pharmacist Noel Botsch, owner of Special Design Healthcare, will pay $3.9 million to resolve claims that he submitted false and fraudulent claims to the Missouri and Illinois Medicaid Programs for various drugs sold to customers.” The fraud allegedly included billing Medicaid for name-brand drugs when generic drugs were dispensed, and billing for drugs when no drugs were dispensed. A key piece of evidence, according to the paper: “the pharmacy billed Missouri and Illinois Medicaid for more drugs than it purchased.” The paper further reports that “Botsch said he disputes the government’s contentions and decided to settle to avoid the expense and uncertainty of litigation.” But that’s what settling defendants almost always say, so take it for what it’s worth. (Hint: not worth much.)
