A Carbon County man, Adam Herman, has entered a no-contest plea to multiple felonies for impersonating a medical professional and administering care, resulting in claims paid by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies. The announcement was made by Attorney General Dave Sunday.
Herman, aged 44 from Slatington, admitted to 17 felonies and one misdemeanor in Carbon County Court. His sentencing is scheduled for May 12.
The investigation by the Office of Attorney General revealed that Herman posed as a physician or certified registered nurse practitioner (CNRP) at nine personal care homes and assisted living facilities. Patients were led to believe he was qualified to provide medical care. Despite lacking any medical license, Herman prescribed medications and performed procedures like blood draws and injections.
Attorney General Sunday commented on the severity of the situation: “The conduct involved here is egregious, in that the defendant put many people at risk by providing fraudulent care and prescribing medications, which had adverse effects.” He further noted that Herman's actions defrauded the state Medicaid program.
In early 2022, Herman partnered with a Carbon County doctor to operate a business providing medical services. The doctor mistakenly believed Herman was a registered nurse. When the doctor fell ill later that year, Herman took over operations using an authentication app meant only for physicians to dispense controlled substances under the doctor's name without authorization.
Herman's lack of proper training led to incorrect diagnoses and treatments for patients. For instance, he prescribed diabetes medication to non-diabetic patients, causing them illness and weight loss.
Herman faced charges including 13 counts of neglect (endangering welfare), along with Medicaid fraud, theft by deception, insurance fraud, identity theft, and practicing medicine without a license.
Senior Deputy Attorneys General Eric J. Stryd and Eric Schoenberg prosecuted the case alongside federal agencies like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Pennsylvania Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives significant funding from this department for its operations.