North Suburban Psychologist Indicted for Allegedly Billing Medicare and Private Insurers for Services Not Rendered

CHICAGO — A north suburban psychologist has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly submitting false claims to Medicare and private insurers.

PAMELA ANTELL, also known as Pamela Gruenhut, operated a psychology practice in Glenview.  From 2011 to January 2018, Antell submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare and private insurers for mental health services that were not rendered, the indictment states.  In some instances, Antell was out of the state on the dates she claimed to have provided the services, the charges allege.  Antell also used some of her patients’ names and dates of birth without their knowledge to create fictitious claim forms for the purported services, the charges allege.

The indictment charges Antell with five counts of health care fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft.

Antell, 66, of Deerfield, was arrested this morning.  She pleaded not guilty at an afternoon arraignment and was ordered released on a personal recognizance bond.  A status hearing is set for Oct. 24, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Jorge L. Alonso.

The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Each count of health care fraud is punishable by up to ten years in prison.  Conviction of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory prison sentence of two years, which must be served consecutively to the sentence for the underlying offense.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Greening.