When it comes to your health, trust matters most. A recent case in Louisiana chiropractor insurance scam shows just how far some providers will go to exploit patients and insurers for financial gain.

Dr. Benjamin Tekippe, a 40-year-old chiropractor from New Orleans, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for defrauding Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA) and illegally collecting unemployment benefits. He lured patients with promises of “free” massages, then billed their insurance for services that weren’t covered—or, in many cases, never performed at all. Investigators even found that he charged patients for treatments while he was vacationing in Aruba or behind bars for other offenses.

In total, Tekippe submitted over $2.3 million in fraudulent claims, of which he pocketed more than $740,000, spending much of it on gambling and luxury items. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he also lied to collect nearly $13,000 in unemployment benefits.

Warning Signs Consumers Should Watch For

• Providers offering “free” treatments that still require your insurance to be billed.
• Billing for services you don’t recognize or never received.
• Pressure to sign incomplete or blank paperwork at a clinic.
• Altered or unusual patient records when you request a copy.
• A provider who discourages second opinions or questions about billing.

How to Protect Yourself

• Review your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements carefully for strange charges.
• Keep a personal record of treatments and compare them with what was billed.
• Report suspicious charges to your insurer immediately.
• Ask for itemized bills, and don’t hesitate to question anything that seems off.
• Use trusted, well-reviewed providers and research their professional history when possible.

Fraudulent practices like these hurt not only patients but also everyone who pays higher premiums as a result. Staying informed and vigilant is your best line of defense against medical scams.