An American psychologist in Seattle has been sentenced to a year in prison for billing a program for military families for therapy never given.
Dr. David Celio agreed to repay the US government $510,264 to settle a civil claim.
Dr. David Celio, 63, pleaded guilty in November to one count of health-care fraud for repeatedly filing bogus claims for reimbursement with TRICARE, which covers retired military personnel, reservists and spouses and children of active-duty soldiers.
Dr. David Celio, psychologist in Seattle, billed TRICARE for 25 fake sessions of family counseling, and got money that he wasn’t entitled to. TRICARE is a health insurance program to provide assistance to the families of reserve and active-duty military personnel and their families.
The Washington state Department of Health opened an investigation of Celio after receiving a copy of the plea agreement in December. That investigation is continuing, according to a department spokesman.