Over 1,000 Instances of 'Fraud' by a Brazen Doctor... Suspended Sentence Given

Allegations of Fraudulent Claims for Long-Term Care Benefits

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] A doctor who fabricated patient consultations without actually treating patients to claim medical benefits was sentenced to probation.

The Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 9 (Judge Park Mison) announced on the 21st that Baek Mo (44), who was indicted on fraud charges, was sentenced to 6 months in prison with 2 years of probation.

Judge Park stated, "The defendant embezzled medical benefit costs from the victim, the National Health Insurance Service, through false benefit claims," and added, "Such crimes deplete the national health insurance finances and shift the financial burden onto the general public, making the guilt severe. Moreover, the defendant committed the crime again despite having a prior record of a fine for similar offenses."

However, Judge Park explained the sentencing by considering "the fact that the defendant paid all the collected amounts to the victim, the National Health Insurance Service."

Baek is accused of operating a private clinic in Gwangju from April 2017 to March 2018 and receiving a total of KRW 15,934,650 from the National Health Insurance Service as medical benefits 950 times between around January 3 and February 21, 2018.