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Dr. Charles Mok
A Macomb County doctor charged with defrauding Medicare had medical staff with Covid treat patients, federal authorities allege in court documents.
Dr. Charles Mok, 56, of Washington, Mich., operates Allure Medical Spa on 26 Mile Road in Shelby Township, which has 26 outpatient clinics specializing in varicose vein treatments in eight states, with six in Michigan.
Authorities alleged Tuesday that he submitted false claims to Medicare for services that were never given or were medically unnecessary. He is also accused of:
- Putting Covid and non-Covid patients together in the Shelby Township waiting room
- Giving questionable Vitamin C injections to treat Covid patient
- Conducting non-essential procedures, contrary to the orders of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
”Dr. Mok is charged with exploiting the current pandemic to defraud the Medicare program, and putting the safety and health of his patients at risk in doing so," Detroit U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said in a statement. "These are serious allegations, and my office is committed to prosecuting any medical professional who attempts to use the Covid-19 crisis to defraud patients or insurers.”
According to an affidavit by investigative special agent Steven Warren of the state Department of Health and Human Services, an informant said five employees at the Shelby office had Covid-19 but continued "to work and treat patients at Allure."
The criminal complaint also alleges that Mok submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare for injections of Varithena for varicose veins that had already been surgically removed.
Additionally, Mok is accused of fraudulent claims to Medicare for high-dose intravenous vitamin C infusions to patients at risk of getting coronavirus, particularly frontline workers, and for those who tested positive.
"In multiple launch videos, Dr. Mok claimed that Allure offered the infusions because vitamin C reduces the severity of symptoms, duration of illness, and therefore the contagiousness of Covid-19 and significantly increases the immunity system of those who have a high risk for contracting the virus," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a press release. "There are currently no known U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vaccines or drugs to treat Covid-19."
Earlier coverage:
Vitamin C 'Treatment' for Covid Brings FBI Search at Macomb HQ for Multi-State Clinics, April 23
