The Associated Press State & Local Wire

August 14, 2002, Wednesday, BC cycle

Doctor who charged Medicare for puppet shows sentenced to prison

SECTION: State and Regional

LENGTH: 1213 words

DATELINE: KANSAS CITY, Mo.

A psychiatrist who illegally billed the federal Medicare program for puppet and magic shows was sentenced Tuesday to five months in prison.
Daniel F. Ward, 57, also received three years of supervised release, including five months of home detention, as part of his sentence, issued by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs. Ward must also pay $49,944.01 in restitution.
Ward has surrendered his license to practice medicine in Missouri. He pleaded guilty to six felony counts of health care fraud in November 2001, said U.S. Attorney Todd P. Graves.
Graves said Ward billed Medicare for non-covered services “purportedly provided” to residents at two Kansas City-area nursing homes. Those services included music entertainment and social and recreational activities, including puppet and magic shows, Graves said.