RED BUD, Ill. - Steven P. Gibson, 29, pharmacist and owner of Gibson’s Discount Drugs in Red Bud, Illinois, pled guilty in federal court today to charges that he engaged in a scheme to defraud health care benefit programs by submitting false claims for fraudulent prescription medications to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies that were not authorized by a physician, nurse practitioner, or a physician’s assistant as required. Sentencing is set for November 27, 2018.
During his plea hearing, Gibson admitted that he submitted false and fraudulent claims in the names of family members and pharmacy customers for prescription medication. Gibson often selected expensive prescription medications that he knew would be paid for by insurance companies (including Medicare and Medicaid). One such medication was Creon, a drug used to treat chronic pancreatitis. Another such medication was Pentasa, a drug used to treat ulcerative colitis. A third medication was Hydroxychloroquine, a drug used to treat or prevent malaria.
In total, Gibson received payments of over $630,000 from Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies.