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After a two-year investigation by the California Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Branch and the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, Jeff Levine, 45, and his wife, Martha Levine, 39 of Santa Cruz, Calif. were charged with 40 counts each of insurance fraud.

Jeff Levine is a chiropractor, and Martha Levine is a bookkeeper at Action Chiropractic in Santa Cruz, which they own and operate. A complaint was filed with the CDI by a female client of Jeff Levine, who said that upon review of her insurance bills, she had noticed that over-billing for additional office visits.

As a result of this complaint, a CDI investigation was launched. Investigators maintain that the Levines allegedly billed at least 16 insurance companies for services Action Chiropractic did not render, and allegedly altered the dates of treatment for patients in order to collect payment from insurers.

In addition, investigators report that Action Chiropractic often contracted out a masseuse. Although the masseuse would give the massage out of her house, Action Chiropractic allegedly billed such treatment to insurance companies and added an extra office visit, ostensibly in conjunction with that massage.

Investigators stated that most of the over-billings stemmed from patients who had workers’ compensation claims or had been involved in vehicle accidents. These alleged acts resulted in a total loss of $8,000.The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, the Levines could each face up to 10 years in state prison and fines of up to $50,000.

Topics Fraud