Michigan Psychiatrist Barry G. Siegel Convicted for Health Care Fraud

March 12, 2021

On November 18, 2020, the Michigan Board of Medicine placed psychiatrist Barry G. Siegel on probation for a minimum of one year and fined him $2,500 following Siegel’s criminal conviction for health care fraud.

According to the Board’s consent order, from January 30, 2013 to September 6, 2013, Siegel, who practices in Rochester Hills (a suburb of Detroit) executed a scheme to obtain money from Medicaid by submitting materially false claims to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM). Allegations of fraudulent claims include Siegel billing BCBSM for neurofeedback procedures, a non-covered service, by submitting claims for psychotherapy services, a covered service, instead.

On April 30, 2019, in the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac, Michigan, Siegel was convicted of the fraud-related charge of “Attempt – False Pretenses $200 or More but Less Than $1,000,” a misdemeanor not punishable by imprisonment. Siegel was sentenced, in part, to 18-months’ probation, with terms, and ordered to pay fines, costs, and $150,000 in restitution.

Siegel failed to notify the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs of his conviction within 30 days.

The Department charged Siegel with lack of propensity to serve the public in a fair, honest, and open manner; lack of good moral character; fraud or deceit in obtaining or attempting to obtain third party reimbursement; and misrepresentation to a consumer or patient or in obtaining or attempting to obtain third party reimbursement in the course of professional practice, as well as for failure to notify the Department of his conviction within 30 days.

Siegel admitted that the facts alleged in the Department’s complaint against him were true and constituted violations of the state Public Health Code.

Source: Consent Order in the Matter of Barry G. Siegel, M.D., License No. 43-01-045655, File No. 43-20-000443, State of Michigan Department of licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing, Board of Medicine, Disciplinary Subcommittee, Nov. 18, 2020.