On September 22, DOJ announced thatMichigan physician Francisco Patino has been convicted by a jury for “masterminding and executing a complex scheme to defraud Medicare. . . by administering medically unnecessary spinal injections in exchange for prescriptions of high doses of opioids to patients.” Patino billed Medicare for more facet joint and nerve block injections than any other provider in the country between 2012 and 2017. He also prescribed the highest number of Oxycodone pills of any provider in Michigan in 2016 and 2017. When patients refused the injections, Patino withheld their opioid prescriptions. Patino was convicted under multiple theories including three counts of conspiracy, two counts of health care fraud, and one count of money laundering. Patino faces life in prison, and sentencing is set for January 20, 2022.