Psychiatrist Michael K. Nunn excluded from federal health plans following fraud conviction

June 22, 2012

On January 19, 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General excluded psychiatrist Michael Nunn from participation in federally-funded health programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare.

This means he can no longer received reimbursements from these programs for services delivered.

The reason given is that the entity he is or was employed by was excluded from participation in Medicaid. A consent order issued by the North Carolina Medical Board states that Nunn owned and operated Community Wellness Center (CWC), in New Bern, North Carolina and that on April 25, 2011, CWC pleaded guilty in federal court to health care fraud and money laundering.

Further, it states that the U.S. Department of Justice alleged in a Criminal Information that from May 2003 to December 2004, CWC developed a scheme to defraud Medicare and VA Fee-basis program; to bill for services that performed by unqualified personnel, services that were not actually performed and for double-billing the VA.

CWC was ordered to pay a fine of $700,000 and restitution of $297,215 to the Dept. of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. He was also placed on probation for four years. The Board suspended his license for 12 months, stayed the suspension and fined him $5,000.

Source: Consent Order in re: Michael Kermitt Nunn, D.O., Respondent, before the North Carolina Medical Board.