However, these doctors were double-paid for many services. If their patients noticed this, shouldn’t the doctors have noticed as well?

This is another case that developed out of Operation Free Shot, a federal initiative to stop fraud in the VFC Program.

“Providers know or should know they cannot bill for something they get for free.” U.S. Attorney O’Connor

U.S. Attorney O’Connor noted that Operation Free Shot involves coordination among various federal and state authorities and agencies, and praised in particular the cooperation and assistance provided by the Connecticut Department of Public Health and HealthNet, a Medicaid Managed Care Organization.

“The health care system relies on providers to bill Government and private health insurance programs honestly and accurately,” U.S. Attorney O’Connor stated. “We will not tolerate providers who misuse the VFC program for financial gain and we will make every effort to recover VFC funds and impose multiple damages and penalties where appropriate.”

“Physicians profiteered at the expense of taxpayers - using free, government-funded shots to boost their own bottom lines and jeopardizing healthcare access for children,” Attorney General Blumenthal said. “The message to healthcare providers is simple: Zero tolerance for unlawful profiteering at the expense of critical healthcare.”

CT Pediatricians Settle in Operation Free Shot