Doctor sentenced for ‘rent-a-patient’ scheme

A physician who worked out of Premium Surgery Center in Huntington Beach was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison Monday for participating in a health care fraud in which he administered unnecessary medical procedures on patients who were coerced to play along, according to a news release.

William W. Hampton, 53, of Cypress, was sentenced by United States District Judge Audrey B. Collins for his involvement in a “rent-a-patient” scheme, federal officials said.

Hampton was convicted of knowingly performing more than 400 “sweaty palm surgeries” for patients who were bribed to undergo the unneeded procedures, officials said.

Testimony suggested patients were coached to describe false symptoms.

Hampton was also ordered to pay $2,466,352 in restitution to health insurance companies involved.

— Jacquelyn Rumfola