Fla. psychologist suspended, accused of tryst with patient and billing insurance for sessions

Fla. psychologist accused of patient tryst, fraud

TAMPA, Fla. — A psychologist is accused of having sex multiple times with one of his female patients and billing her insurance company $1,400 for “sessions,” according to records from the Florida Department of Health.

Dr. Daniel Lerom, 49, and a 37-year-old patient identified only as “H.F.” had a sexual relationship between February and May of 2009, department board members wrote in a report filed in January. Lerom also repeatedly asked H.F. for her prescription medications, saying he needed them for back pain.

The relationship ended when Lerom’s wife discovered the affair, the report said.

Lerom’s license has been suspended and the patient is suing him, claiming malpractice, gross negligence, breach of duty of care and infliction of emotional distress, among other things.

She claims in the lawsuit she suffered a “complete emotional collapse” and was institutionalized after being rejected personally and professionally by Lerom.

Lerom did not return messages left at his home and office. An assistant for patient H.F.’s attorney said the attorney would not be commenting on the case.

Both the lawsuit and the Department of Health documents are filled with extensive, and often salacious, details.

According to the report, Lerom would often text H.F. after their trysts, often at her condo or a hotel. He said that he was “falling in love with her” and gave her jewelry from Tiffany’s.

“U r sooo hot!!! i worry that i m holding u back from a younger stud who can really meet your needs!! lol!!” one alleged text from Lerom to H.F. said.

Another: “if i were there i would rub u all over and kiss u all over!!! that’s the dr. dan cure!!! XOXOXO.”

The doctor also referred to himself as a “RHL,” or, “red hot lover.”

“wish u were here in the shower with me to warm me up!!! Your RHL!!!”

Even though Lerom stopped treating H.F. last February, records show, he billed her Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida insurance company on several occasions.

Florida Surgeon General Ana Viamonte Ros wrote in the report: “Dr. Lerom’s willingness to engage in sexual misconduct with a patient … and to exploit her for the insurance proceeds as well as for her prescription medication demonstrate a serious defect in Dr. Lerom’s judgement and moral character.”