NEWARK
– A Haddon Township doctor is barred
from practice for six months beginning
today, to be followed by a four-and-a-half
year probationary period during which
his practice will be limited.
Dennis M. Scardigli, M.D., was also ordered
to reimburse the State Board of Medical
Examiners (BME) $135,000 for its costs
in investigating allegations against him.
He has already paid a $30,000 civil penalty.
Scardigli, who maintained an office in
Haddon Township, also agreed to dissolve
his corporate entities, Psychophysiological
Assessment and Treatment Center and South
Jersey Diagnostics.
Under terms of a settlement agreement
with the BME, Scardigli agreed not to
contest an administrative complaint filed
in October 2003 alleging that he had been
conducting inadequate clinical examinations;
preparing inadequate records of motor
vehicle accident patients; and submitting
bills to third party payors containing
inflated or other improper payment information.
It was also alleged that Scardigli made
medically unnecessary referrals of patients
to his other corporations, Psychophysiological
Assessment and Treatment Center, and South
Jersey Diagnostics without disclosing
his ownership and without informing the
patients of their rights to go elsewhere
for testing or treatment.
Even after the end of the probation period,
Scardigli, under the terms of the settlement,
cannot treat motor vehicle or personal
injury cases, cannot refer to outside
specialists with whom he has had a financial
relationship, and must observe other specified
limitations.
"The
serious nature of the information received
about this doctor prompted the BMxE’s
investigation. Rising medical costs hurt
everyone and this crisis is made worse
when doctors enrich themselves by taking
advantage of vulnerable patients and the
insurers who pay many of the bills,"
Attorney General Peter C. Harvey said.
During his six-month active suspension,
Scardigli must attend and pass a BME-approved
refresher course in internal medicine.
He must also pass a course in professional
ethics and a course in medical record-keeping
and coding. Scardigli must appear before
the BME and show that these requirements
were met before he is allowed to start
the probationary period, during which
the BME will randomly inspect Scardigli’s
patient treatment and billing records.
"The
doctor-patient relationship is built on
trust. When we suspect that this trust
has been violated, we will act swiftly
to ensure the health and safety of the
public," said Kimberly Ricketts,
Consumer Affairs Director. “The
BME, and our other boards, will continue
to closely supervise all of their licensees
and hold them accountable for their actions."
Peter C. Harvey, Attorney General
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