HARRISBURG, PA — Adam Herman, 44, of Slatington, this week pleaded no contest to 17 felonies and one misdemeanor after posing as a medical professional to provide unauthorized care at personal care homes and assisted living facilities. The deceptive practices resulted in Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies paying illegitimate claims.
Filed in Carbon County Court, the charges against Herman include neglect of care-dependent persons, Medicaid fraud, theft by deception, insurance fraud, identity theft, and practicing medicine without a license. A no-contest plea carries the same legal impact as a guilty plea. Herman will be sentenced on May 12.
According to an investigation by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Herman falsely represented himself as a physician, certified registered nurse practitioner (CNRP), or nurse while administering treatments, prescribing medications, and performing medical procedures, including blood draws and injections — despite lacking any formal medical training or licensure.
“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,” said Attorney General Dave Sunday. “The defendant’s pattern of deception also included defrauding the state Medicaid program, which enables in-need Pennsylvanians to acquire treatment and care.”
Herman’s fraudulent actions were compounded after a Carbon County doctor, who had partnered with him in a medical practice, became ill and unable to work in 2022. Investigators found that Herman unlawfully accessed the doctor’s authentication system and issued prescriptions for controlled substances in the doctor’s name. Herman also claimed his unauthorized medical services had been approved by the doctor, which they were not.
Authorities revealed that Herman’s unqualified care led to incorrect diagnoses and dangerous treatments. For example, several patients were inaccurately prescribed diabetes medication, which caused significant health issues, including illness and unintended weight loss.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorneys General Eric J. Stryd and Eric Schoenberg of the Medicaid Fraud Control and Insurance Fraud Sections, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General.
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