Former N.J. Neurologist Gets Jail Time in Fraud Scam

New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn McKoy announced that a former Essex County neurologist has been sentenced to six months in county jail for fraudulently billing an insurance company more than $50,000 for medical tests that were never performed.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Barry M. Vogel, 61, of Livingston, Essex County, was ordered by Union County Superior Court Judge William Wertheimer to five years probation following a term of 180 days in county jail. In addition, Vogel’s medical license was permanently revoked.

On Aug. 24, Vogel, a licenced neurologist, pleaded guilty to a State Grand Jury indictment filed by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, which charged Health Care Claims Fraud.

At the guilty plea, Vogel reportedly admitted that he submitted more than $54,000 in fraudulent bills to the Prudential Property & Casualty Insurance Company of New Jersey for diagnostic services never rendered and/or for services that were improperly provided.

An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that Vogel submitted the fraudulent health insurance claims for electro-diagnostic tests and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests purportedly performed on patients suffering injuries sustained in automobile accidents.

Additionally, it was determined that Vogel fraudulently submitted the same diagnostic tests for multiple patients. As a result of the investigation, Vogel surrendered his medical license to the Medical Board on July 12, 2000.