STAFFORD – A local doctor has agreed to pay $156,220 and to revise his office practices in a settlement reached after he was charged with providing vaccines that had been stored improperly.
Dr. Michael Bleiman, of Southern Ocean Pediatrics and Family Medicine, had patients that were vaccinated as part of the Vaccines for Children program, a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to families in financial need.
An investigation revealed that the vaccines were not stored at the correct temperature. This put them at risk that they would not be as effective as needed. Furthermore, the temperatures were recorded incorrectly, to cover the fact that they were not stored right.
The situation affected more than 900 Medicaid patients who potentially received compromised vaccines between the period of November, 2014, through October, 2016.
However, there has been no evidence, besides the temperatures, that the vaccines have been compromised.
“The quality of care issues in this matter raised serious concerns about the welfare of Medicaid program participants,” State Comptroller Phillip James Degnan said in a news release. “This settlement holds Dr. Bleiman accountable for his actions while ensuring compliance going forward.”
After an investigation, he was suspended from all Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs on Jan. 27. As part of this settlement, the temporary suspension of his participation in the Medicaid program will end.
Of the total settlement, $110,000 is a civil penalty levied by the Medicaid Fraud Division. The rest is a reimbursement of overpayments that were paid to Bleiman and his practice.
Bleiman will be required to pay $100,000 on or before June 1, and the rest in consecutive monthly payments.
Going forward, the temperatures and recording manner will be under further scrutiny.
