INVESTIGATORS: Citrin Filed $100K In False Claims.
Wrote Same Notes In More Than 120 Medical Reports.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) (News App readers click here for full report, police report) — Boca Raton doctor Max Citrin is free on $100,000 bond after his arrest by the Boca Raton Police Department.
According to the police report obtained by BocaNewsNow.com and published below, Citrin bilked Blue Cross/Blue Shield out of more than $100,000 through fraudulent insurance claims. The claims, according to the affidavit of probable cause, appear to be tied to a relationship with an area “sober home.”
The investigation, according to police, started in 2017 and led to Citrin’s arrest on Thursday. A warrant was issued earlier in the month.
From the report: “I am a detective with the Boca Raton Police Department. In May of 2020, I was assigned to the Palm Beach County Sober Homes Task Force. The task force learned of a doctor identified as Dr. Max Citrin who had a practice located at 6699 North Federal Highway, Suite 200, in Boca Raton. Dr. Citrin was purportedly involved in the recovery industry and had allegedly (been) prescribing narcotics to patients without following proper procedures or exams and without establishing the they are medically necessary.”
The report reveals that detectives, using “fake” Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance cards provided by the insurer, initiated visits with Dr. Citrin that allegedly led to thousands of dollars in claims for services that were not provided. The police report shows that Citrin — according to investigators — made grammatical and pronoun errors repeatedly, suggesting that attention was not being given to the claims being submitted.
One paragraph was cut and pasted into 122 “progress notes” submitted to Blue Cross by Citrin, according to police. Here is that paragraph:
“Chief Complaints, New/Follow-up Patient Consult: “Patient c/o runny nose, fatigue. Suffered with allergy symptoms for over six months, episodes worsen during the middle of the year. During the episodes the patient has not used anything to improve. Patient has a history of smoking no pets at current residence was living in a group home and suspects black mold, takes OTC meds during episodes which usually are minimally effective, is not currently having an episode. Patient has relevant medical health condition of polysubstance dependence which causes symptoms which at times of substance withdrawal (runny nose) are overlaid on his allergy symptoms.”
Citrin, 37, lists the 1400 Block of NW 15th Avenue in Boca Raton as his home address.
The lengthy police report is below. Click here if it does not appear.
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