Denton, Texas-based family medicine physician Stanley Charles Evans, MD, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for opioid charges, the Justice Department said May 19.
Dr. Evans, who operated a Denton-based family medicine practice, illegally prescribed about 370,000 doses of hydrocodone without a legitimate medical purpose, the department said. He pre-signed prescriptions for patients exhibiting drug-seeking behavior, who were then only seen by his four nurse practitioners.
Dr. Evans was only present at the practice about half the time he claimed, the department said. Some opioid prescriptions were written for patients while he was out of the country on vacation.
The NPs saw 20-30 patients per day, and that instead of being paid a set salary, their pay was based on a percentage of what they billed, the department said. They also billed Medicare and TriCare under Dr. Evans' medical identification number, which results in a higher charge to the government.
Dr. Evans pleaded guilty in September 2022 to healthcare fraud and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.