The Pain MD scandal in Tennessee has brought to light a disturbing fraud scheme that took advantage of patients’ dependence on opioids. Michelle Shaw, a former patient of Pain MD, testified that the clinic required her to receive multiple injections in her back each month in order to continue receiving opioid prescriptions. Despite the injections causing her more pain and discomfort, Shaw felt trapped and had nowhere else to go for her pain management needs.
The Department of Justice successfully argued in court that Pain MD’s injections were unnecessary and largely ineffective. The injections, billed to government programs and private insurance, were found to contain short-lived numbing medications but no steroids, making them ineffective in relieving pain. Patients like Shaw and others testified that they endured the injections to avoid being cut off from their painkiller prescriptions, highlighting the power dynamics at play in the scheme.
The trial of Pain MD’s president, Michael Kestner, revealed the extent of the fraud, with employees testifying that Kestner pressured them to administer more injections and ranked them based on their injection rates. The focus on injections was a way for Kestner to avoid being labeled a “pill mill” and to provide a facade of legitimate pain management practices. However, the injections did not address the underlying issue of opioid dependence and only served to harm patients like Shaw.
The scandal surrounding Pain MD has raised concerns about healthcare fraud and the exploitation of vulnerable patients for financial gain. As the case continues to unfold, it serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of ethical medical practices and the need to prioritize patient well-being over profit. The victims of Pain MD’s scheme, like Michelle Shaw, deserve justice and accountability for the harm they endured in the pursuit of relief for their chronic pain.
