CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal appeals court has upheld the conviction of Dr. Anita Louise Jackson, a North Carolina ear, nose, and throat specialist, who reused single-use medical devices on over 1,400 Medicare patients. Dr. Jackson, 63, was sentenced to 25 years in prison in June 2023 after being found guilty of several charges, including device adulteration, fraud, conspiracy, and identity theft.
Details of the Case
Dr. Jackson operated clinics in Rockingham, Lumberton, and Raleigh, where she performed balloon sinuplasty procedures on Medicare patients. Prosecutors revealed that between 2014 and 2018, she billed Medicare over $46 million for these procedures. However, instead of using new devices as required, Jackson reused only 36 FDA-approved Entellus devices across more than 1,500 surgeries.
This practice directly violated medical regulations, as these devices are approved for single use only to prevent contamination. Prosecutors highlighted that Jackson’s actions put patients at significant risk by exposing them to devices that came into contact with blood and other bodily fluids.
Misleading Practices and Fraudulent Billing
To market the procedures, Jackson referred to them as a “sinus spa” and encouraged patients to undergo treatments they might not have needed. Her clinics became the nation’s top billers for balloon sinuplasty, drawing the attention of Medicare auditors. When investigations began, Jackson and her staff falsified medical records and forged patient signatures to conceal their fraudulent practices.
Court Rulings and Arguments
Jackson appealed her conviction to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard her case in November 2024. On January 21, 2025, the court rejected her arguments, which included claims that the devices weren’t technically “held for sale” and that she was protected under laws allowing the off-label use of medical devices.
Jackson also cited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines that she claimed permitted the reuse of single-use devices. However, the court determined that these guidelines did not apply to the FDA-approved Entellus devices or the cleaning methods Jackson used. Additionally, the court dismissed her attempts to introduce evidence about her cleaning practices.
Penalties and Impact
Following her conviction, Jackson was ordered to forfeit $4.7 million in profits earned through her fraudulent activities. After completing her 25-year prison sentence, she will serve three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Michael Easley condemned Jackson’s actions, stating, “This doctor put profit over patients by reusing single-use surgical devices hundreds of times, even though those devices came into contact with blood and other bodily fluids. Her actions were a clear violation of medical standards and patient trust.”
Broader Implications
The case has drawn attention to the importance of strict adherence to medical regulations, particularly when it comes to patient safety. Medical professionals are expected to prioritize patient care above financial gain, and violations like these undermine public trust in healthcare providers.
Experts believe this case will serve as a precedent for addressing similar violations in the medical field. It also underscores the role of audits and oversight in detecting and preventing fraud within Medicare and other healthcare systems.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Jackson’s case is a stark reminder of the ethical responsibilities that come with medical practice. Patients trust healthcare providers to act in their best interests, and any breach of that trust can have severe consequences. As the investigation concludes and the appeals process ends, healthcare systems are likely to tighten regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.
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