Nurse practitioner settles false claims allegations over unnecessary orthotic braces

Acting U.S. Attorney Shannon T. Hanson announced a settlement agreement involving Jordona Ndon, a former nurse practitioner previously working in Delaware and now living in Virginia. Ndon has agreed to pay $50,000 to address allegations of violating the False Claims Act. The accusations center on the inappropriate ordering of orthotic braces for Medicare beneficiaries in Delaware.

The agreement's financial terms reflect Ndon's financial capacity. Allegations span from November 2017 to June 2018, during which Ndon reportedly signed numerous digital orders for orthotic braces without conducting physical examinations of the patients. Many beneficiaries did not require or seek these braces. Some orders were allegedly filled out by telemarketers without medical training, and Ndon would sign off after very brief telemedicine sessions, typically under two minutes, without establishing a sound medical basis.

“Providers who authorize medically unnecessary equipment undermine our health care system and waste valuable taxpayer dollars,” commented Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson. “This office will continue to aggressively pursue providers who seek to profit by outsourcing their medical decision-making and hold them accountable to the public.”

The case was overseen by Assistant U.S. Attorney William E. LaRosa and Affirmative Civil Enforcement Auditor David Cheung. The settlement demonstrates the government's commitment to tackling health care fraud, with the False Claims Act serving as a crucial instrument. The Department of Health and Human Services encourages reports on fraud and abuse at 800 HHS TIPS (800-447-8477).

While the settlement resolves the claims, it is essential to note that they remain accusations, with no admission or determination of liability.

For further details, references to the official press release and attached documents are available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware’s website.