Jan 29, 2005 By: Francine Sawyer Sun Journal (NC)

With federal authorities seizing patient histories, computers and files from a New Bern physician, patients of Dr. Michael Nunn are speaking out in defense of the doctor.

Nunn’s Community Wellness Center at 750 McCarthy Blvd. was shut down Tuesday after a federal agent from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services arrived with a 20-page search warrant.

By the day’s end, countless boxes, records and financial documents, as well as computer software, were taken away from the center.

The raid on the facility has virtually put Nunn out of business. There are no signs on the door of his business that direct patients to other health care facilities, phones are not answered and Nunn cannot be reached.

However, one New Bern woman, Margaret Warren, said she made contact with the center to find out about her husband’s appointment set for today.”They told me not to come in,” Warren said Friday afternoon. “They said that they are not sure as to what is going to happen.”

Warren said she and her husband, Michael Warren, have been treated by Nunn for five years.

“Unlike what the newspaper said, that he gives patients one to three minutes, he always spent a great deal of time with us and ordered a number of tests. He didn’t just say hello and write a prescription,” she said.

Bryan Carter, a patient of Nunn’s, said that the physician was wonderful and caring.

“It is a tragedy as to what is happening with that man,” he said. “(Federal agents) should track down real criminals and leave a man like Dr. Nunn alone.”

Teresa West of New Bern characterized Nunn as “a fabulous doctor.”

West said that Nunn has treated her and her children for four years.

“He is a loving doctor,” she said. “It brings tears to my eyes to think of what they are doing to him.”

Joan Noel has been a registered nurse for 30 years. The New Bern resident said she has known Nunn professionally for 10 years.

“I have worked with him before at Craven Regional Medical Center,” Noel said. “He is one of the most giving and caring people I have ever seen. He has given people money for them to pay their bills, buy food, pay electricity bills.”

Noel said Nunn put her on anti-depression medication and the treatment changed her life.

New Bern psychiatrist Dr. Charles D. Godwin, in practice with Dr. Ruben R. Salinas and counselors at Eastern Carolina Psychiatric Services, said that his office would help treat patients that are unable to find service.

“I don’t know the status of Dr. Nunn, nor do I know anything about the allegations — just what I saw in the newspaper,” he said. “But certainly, our office will do everything to accommodate the needs of patients in the community who need the help. We will extend ourselves to see extra patients. I want to stress that we offer psychiatric services, but no pain management.”

Godwin said that the emergency room at Craven Regional Medical Center, Neuse Mental Health Center and Cross Roads could be of help to patients.

The sworn affidavit by federal agents stated that there was probable cause to search the wellness center after an investigation was launched in July 2004.

Allegations in the warrant include over-prescribing controlled substances, billing for services not rendered/false claims, and over-writing prescriptions.

Complaints came from employees and the Medicare Program Safeguard contractor, AdvanceMed, which cited allegations of fraudulent activity.

Ciba-Medicare’s investigative unit opened a case on Nunn in January 2001 and determined that he was the second-highest submitter of physical medical codes in the state, according to federal agents.

Information on the warrant show that from Jan. 1, 2000, through April 30, 2004, Nunn was paid $2,077,572 for bills submitted to Medicare. Documents also state that he received $1,484,798 from Medicaid from Jan. 1, 2000, to Dec. 22, 2004.

No charges have been filled against Nunn. Investigators said in the warrant that the software would have to be examined by forensic experts and that tax records and billing records would have to be examined. http://www.newbernsunjournal.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/ GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=19656&Section=Local