Lee Woodard of Vero Beach submitted a claim for $350 to Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield of New York for orthotics he was fitted for by Dr. Nicholas Rutledge. Soon after, he got a check for $90 from the insurer, which he held on to, the Stuart News said.

He called Blue Cross and the doctor to request the $290 refund in exchange for the $90 check, which raised Rutledge's hackles.

So, the doctor gave Woodard 580 rolls of pennies weighing about 200 pounds.

Rutledge explained that he became "angry and frustrated" by the situation.

"He tried to get me in trouble with the state of New York and Blue Cross Blue Shield, saying we were some kind of scam operation," Rutledge said. "I don't understand why this guy was being a thorn in my side."