Sharon Doctor to Pay Over $363,000 for Illegally Profiting Off of Patients

From the Attorney General’s Office:

A doctor who had offices in Sharon and Attleboro has agreed to pay $363,150 for allegedly charging cash for opiate addiction treatment already covered by the state’s Medicaid program, illegally profiting off of hundreds of patients, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

According to separate investigations by the AG’s Office, Dr. Joshua Goldeni allegedly required patients who were MassHealth members to pay out-of-pocket fees in order to receive the drug Suboxone, when they were entitled to receive treatment for free. It is alleged that each provider accepted MassHealth insurance except when a patient sought addiction treatment using Suboxone. Under the terms of two assurances of discontinuance, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, each physician has agreed to provide restitution and no longer charge members for covered services.

“These doctors took advantage of low-income patients struggling with addiction, forcing them to pay illegal fees for Suboxone services,” Healey said in a release. “My office is committed to eliminating obstacles to treatment for those in the throes of addiction.”

MassHealth providers are required by law to accept payments from MassHealth as payment in full for services provided to its members. Suboxone, as well as other formulations of buprenorphine, is used for the treatment of opioid addiction as it suppresses withdrawal and cravings for opioids.

Dr. Golden is a board-certified psychiatrist whose psychiatric practice is United Health Associates.

Under the terms of the settlement, Golden has agreed to pay a total of $363,150, including $288,150 in restitution to be distributed among 107 MassHealth members and a $75,000 penalty to be paid to the Commonwealth.

Golden is prohibited from soliciting, charging, receiving or accepting any money for medical services available under MassHealth, unless required or permitted under MassHealth regulations. Golden must also post a clear and conspicuous sign at the front desk of every medical office operated by them stating that MassHealth members may not be charged anything for receiving services from their offices.