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Joint Investigation Leads to Arrest in Palm Beach County

By Florida Department of Health, Office of Communications

May 08, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2014

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

JOINT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST IN PALM BEACH COUNTY

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) Palm Beach Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Unit announces a joint investigation with the Palm Beach Multi-Agency Diversion Task Force that led to the arrest of Jon Rubenstein for the alleged unlicensed practice of medicine, a 3rd degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Rubenstein advertised through social media that he was a doctor and performed stem cell injections. Instead of stem cell injections, he was drawing blood and performing a platelet-rich plasma procedure. Rubenstein stated he has helped hundreds of people with arthritis live a pain-free life through stem cell injection therapy. He charged $300 for a single injection and $750 for three-shot treatment.

On March 7, 2014, undercover officers met Rubenstein at a residence in Lake Worth, FL. Wearing medical scrubs, Rubenstein brought medical supplies and a centrifuge into the room to show how the procedure was done. At that time, he was placed under arrest. Rubenstein is not licensed in a medical profession in the State of Florida.

The Department has several resources to combat unlicensed activity:

  • Consumers are encouraged to visit the Department’s website www.FlHealthSource.gov where they can conveniently view the license information of any health care practitioner.
  • Complaints may be filed anonymously by completing and mailing the complaint form found on the DOH website, or by calling 1-877-HALT-ULA or 1-888-419-3456.

The Florida Department of Health’s unlicensed activity program protects Florida residents and visitors from the potentially serious and dangerous consequences of receiving medical and health care services from an unlicensed person. The Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) investigates and refers for prosecution all unlicensed health care activity complaints and allegations. The unlicensed activity unit works in conjunction with law enforcement and the state attorney’s offices to prosecute individuals practicing without a license. In many instances, unlicensed activity is a felony-level criminal offense. More importantly, receiving health care from unlicensed people is dangerous and could result in further injury, disease, or even death.

Working in conjunction with 22 boards and six councils, MQA regulates seven types of facilities and 200-plus license types in more than 40 healthcare professions. MQA evaluates the credentials of all applicants for licensure, issues licenses, analyzes and investigates complaints, inspects facilities, assists in prosecuting practice act violations, combats unlicensed activity, and provides credential and discipline history about licensees to the public. Visit www.FlHealthSource.gov for additional information about MQA.

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. During 2014, the Department is recognizing 125 years of public health in Florida with educational opportunities and events. Please visit www.FLHealth125.gov for more information.

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