Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 3, 1990 TAG: 9003032943
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: BEDFORD/FRANKLIN
SOURCE: From Staff Reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The action was taken against Dr. Paul R. Heaton, who operates the Chiropractic Center of Virginia in Forest.
Heaton was charged by the board in January 1988 with giving substandard care and fraudulently submitting insurance claims.
In December 1989, the board also accused him of sexual misconduct with a patient.
Under terms of the probation order, Heaton is required to conduct his practice under the close supervision of another chiropractor and bear all the costs of the supervision.
In addition, he must obtain continuing medical education. The board also ordered him to have a female assistant in attendance when examining and treating female patients.
A state health regulatory official said additional action could be taken against Heaton.
If Heaton is convicted of any of the felony charges lodged against him last month in Bedford County, his chiropractic license will automatically be revoked, said Bernard L. Henderson Jr., director of the Department of Health Professions.
Even if a felony conviction is not obtained, Henderson said, the Board of Medicine could still act based on evidence used in the criminal fraud charges.
That evidence was not available to the board when it placed Heaton on probation.
Heaton, 37, faces six felony charges of Medicare and Medicaid fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud.
The charges came after an investigation by the state attorney general's medical fraud control unit.
According to a search warrant filed in the case, investigators believe Heaton received thousands of dollars from the Medicaid and Medicare programs for services that were not actually provided and by improperly using the names of medical doctors who had not performed the chiropractic services.
by CNB