Spine Doc Indicted in Milwaukee

A Milwaukee spine surgeon has been indicted for lying to payers about minimally invasive spine procedures requiring nerve monitoring. Cully R. White, D.O. was charged on May 16, 2013 with 13 counts of health care fraud by a federal grand jury in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

False Reports

White allegedly recruited another physician to dictate reports making it appear that the second physician had conducted interoperative nerve monitoring during surgeries performed by White. According to the government, the second physician had no training or experience in, nor did he conduct interoperative nerve monitoring during White’s surgeries.

The indictment further alleges White paid the second physician $150 for each report he dictated. White then used the reports prepared by the second physician to submit claims to insurance companies seeking payment for the second physician’s services.

According to the indictment, White submitted claims to insurance companies totaling more than $265, 000 and ultimately received approximately $82, 000. White allegedly paid the second physician a total of $14, 850 for dictating the reports.

The office of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, James Santelle, cautions that an indictment is only a way to present formal charges in federal court and is not evidence of guilt. White is presumed innocent until the government establishes his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Dr. Cully White’s Blog

On his blog, White posts that he graduated from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center and completed his residency at Ohio University while completing his specialized training with Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates. “Utilizing his highly specialized training in neurosurgery and minimally invasive procedures, Dr. White has a proven history of alleviating pain and improving the range of motion of his patients, ” claims the posting.

White practices throughout Southeast Wisconsin and holds medical privileges at St. Luke Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee, West Allis Medical Center in West Allis, and Elmbrook Memorial hospital in Brookfield. He posts that he approaches patient care with the latest technology available in neurosurgery, including TRANS1 and XLIF, or extreme lateral interbody fusion. “This type of procedure allows the fusion of vertebrae without damaging sensitive muscles in the back or removing bone, this leads to less pain and shorter hospital stays. Another innovative technique used by Dr. White for the treatment of spinal and brain lesions is the CyberKnife. The CyberKnife technique is minimally invasive and uses targeted radiation therapy and x-ray guided equipment to perform procedures.”

He is a partner of Midwest Neuro Sciences Associates and is, according to the blog, “dedicated to relieving the pain and distress of his patients in the fastest, least invasive ways possible. It does not matter if the spinal or neurological injury occurred due to a congenital defect or external trauma; Dr. White offers full attention to his patients. He provides well-rounded care which includes initial patient consultations, counseling prior to all treatments or procedures and medical intervention, where necessary, to relieve the pain and discomfort of his patients.”

Finally his blog states that he “is an excellent, highly trained neurosurgeon with the skills needed to provide his patients with an alternative to traditional invasive and uncomfortable procedures. Dr. White is constantly training for the newest procedures including endoscopic spine surgery, which allows patients to heal more quickly and return to their daily lives on a much faster basis than previously allows by traditional spinal surgery. There is no alternative for a highly trained neurosurgeon; your freedom of motion may depend on choosing the best physician for your care. When seeking a spinal neurosurgeon for degenerative spine disorders, trauma, scoliosis or tumors, Dr. Cully White, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is an excellent choice.”

According to healthgrades.com, White had one malpractice settlement in June 2009 in the amount or range of $1.9 million for an alleged negligent surgery on the spine. There were no records of sanctions or board actions.

Each of the charges against White contained in the indictment carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250, 000 or both.

To see White discuss performing minimally invasive spine surgery, click here!