Medical equipment supplier sued after Medicaid requests $157K from clinic for using ineligible equipment

GRETNA – A local ophthalmologist and the clinic where he works are suing a medical equipment company they allege told them they could bill Medicaid for the use of a machine, which was actually ineligible for billing.

Dr. Carlos Trujillo and Jefferson Pediatric Clinic filed suit against Vision Research Corporation in the 24th Judicial District Court on June 27.

Trujillo and Jefferson Pediatric Clinic assert that they used the Ocular Screening System produced by Vision Research Corporation to take photos of the eyes of child patents. The plaintiffs contend they were promised by the defendant that they would be able to bill Medicaid for its use. However, Trujillo and Jefferson Pediatric Clinic claim that after using the device over 4,000 times they received notification from the State of Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals that they had improperly that the device was ineligible for billing. Due to the incident, the plaintiffs were required to repay $157,896.25 with a $3,000 penalty.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract.

An unspecified amount is sought for all damages and attorney’s fees and costs.

Trujillo and Jefferson Pediatric Clinic are represented by Wesley M. Plaisance of New Orleans-based Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson LLP.

The case has been assigned to Division C Judge June Berry Darensburg.

Case no. 739-858.