On August 3rd, '26, a medical practice I had dealings with as a patient, Complete Health, entered into an agreement with the U.S. federal government to pay $14,100,000, to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by causing the submission of false diagnosis codes in order to increase payments that they received from the Medicare Advantage program.
They were accused of taking advantage of elderly patients in their care by submitting false diagnosis codes to increase reimbursement in the program between '20-'23.
My own assessment of this news based on my dealings, is this is only the tip of the iceberg in regards to corruption and negligence issues related to this provider.
Following some very negative experiences with exams at their Trussville location, I took my concerns to the office of former Northside Medical Associates CEO Dr. "Rock" / Ronald W. Helms Jr. MD in 2020. Based out of Pell City, AL he founded Northside in 2001. Northside then was sold to Complete Health later in 2020, Helms was made a regional market overseer. They supposedly had between 150-200 employees, 4 office locations (Moody, Spring, Trussville & an 80,000 square foot Pell City headquarters), 12 MD's and 16 NP's on the payroll.
Internal criticisms by employees reveals problems within corporate management after the merger. Helms abruptly resigned and walked away from the new venture in 2025. The exact circumstances behind the departure are unknown.
The subject of this latest DOJ settlement related to incidents occurring between the period of '20-'23. It's not clear what involvement (if any) the Northside portion of Complete Health had in the situation. The original lawsuit, however was filed out of Birmingham by Karen Bowers, formerly of VIVA Health.
Dr. Helms then established a small practice, Helms Healthcare, in the town of Vincent. Another branch opened in Pell City in spring, 2026.
My own issues with my 2019 / 2020 Northside Medical Associates visits:
7201 Happy Hollow Rd, Trussville, AL 35173.
-As of 2025 this office's employees answer the phone, going by pseudonyms (nicknames) & outright refuse to give identity when requested.
-MRI in this building w/ St. Vincent's Ambulatory, $500 - 10 yr. honors graduate / neuroradiology specialist Dr. Michael Brant Ruff (Vulcan Imaging) failed to note broken skull bone or 6 inches diameter of infection.
-Attempted to see Dr. Scott Boyken. Always booked up / asked if I would see a Nurse instead.
-Many problems with nurses I saw here acknowledging a very serious injury I had - broken skull (occipital condyle / condylar canal / possibly foramen magnum also broken), head trauma, infection and parasites.
-I saw nurses Frankie James Crumb & Celeste Richardson. Referred to MRI in same building.
