A Manhattan orthopedic doctor has been caught in the act of manipulating online reviews of his practice to attract potential patients. Dr. Mark Mohrmann has agreed to pay a hefty $100,000 fine as a result of this unethical behavior, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James’s office.
The doctor allegedly worked in cahoots with his wife, Alexandra, to suppress negative reviews and boost positive reviews of his practice, Highline Orthopedics, on various websites including ZocDoc, Google, Yelp, Healthgrades, Vitals, Md.com, RateMds.com, and the Better Business Bureau. These actions are in direct violation of New York’s business laws, as stated by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
In addition to the financial penalty, Dr. Mohrmann and his wife have been ordered to remove all of the fake positive reviews, according to the OAG. This serves as a stern warning against fraudulent practices in the healthcare industry, in line with the state’s commitment to upholding ethical conduct among medical professionals.
The Attorney General’s office uncovered that Dr. Mohrmann and his wife utilized various tactics to manipulate online reviews, including providing discounts to their patients in exchange for positive feedback and using virtual private networks (VPNs) to write favorable reviews under aliases. This deliberate effort to deceive prospective patients reflects a shocking lack of integrity on the part of the doctor and his wife.
New Yorkers rely on online reviews to make informed decisions about their healthcare providers, and when doctors engage in unscrupulous behavior like this, it erodes the trust between patients and medical professionals. The substantial fine imposed on Dr. Mohrmann serves as a clear message that such nefarious practices will not be tolerated in the state of New York.
The OAG has emphasized the importance of authentic, unbiased reviews in enabling patients to make well-informed choices about their healthcare. The swift and decisive action taken against Dr. Mohrmann and his wife illustrates the state’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity within the medical profession.
This case underscores the significance of stringent enforcement measures to combat fraudulent conduct in the realm of healthcare. By holding Dr. Mohrmann and his wife accountable for their actions, the OAG has sent a strong signal that attempts to deceive and manipulate patients through fake reviews will be met with severe consequences.
The $100,000 penalty imposed on Dr. Mohrmann and the requirement to remove all fabricated positive reviews serve as a powerful deterrent against similar misconduct by other healthcare practitioners. The OAG’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the interests of patients and maintaining the integrity of online reviews is a vital step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in the healthcare industry.
