GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A former West Michigan doctor who performed unnecessary surgeries and defrauded insurance companies was sentenced this week.
Daniel J. Castro, M.D. was sentenced to five years in prison, two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $1,972,293.74 in restitution.
Castro pleaded guilty to making a false statement related to healthcare back in April 2023. At his sentencing, he did not contest to claims that he defrauded multiple insurance companies between February 2015 and May 2017.
During that time, Castro was employed by Bronson Hospital in Battle Creek as an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat physician), where he provided care for patients in its newly-formed ENT clinic.
While working at the clinic, Castro performed functional endoscopic sinus surgeries on patients whose symptoms, history and scans did not support the medical necessity of the procedures. He falsified medical records to reflect that the surgeries were necessary.
Castro also billed patients and health care providers for removing diseased tissue from inside his patient’s sinuses when diseased tissue was not actually present.
“The criminal activities of Dr. Daniel Castro – performing unnecessary sinus surgeries – are sickening,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Dr. Castro brazenly trampled the core promise of the Hippocratic Oath – to act in the best interests of the patient – and did so for his own financial gain. Our health care system depends on patients being able to trust their medical providers at every step, especially when deciding to go under the knife. I’m grateful for the vast majority of providers who keep their promise, and we will do our very best to root out criminals like Dr. Castro who lie and steal for their own advantage.”
Castro agreed that the intended loss totaled $5,091,272.03.
Prior to his sentencing, he paid $1 million toward the restitution he owes. That will be distributed to Castro's victims, including Medicare and Medicaid programs, numerous private health insurers, Bronson Hospital, and select patients.
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