Indian-American doctor charged with $1 million federal fraud

The doctor allegedly pocketed $1m in payments from medicare and a private insurer for fake non-existent treatments

A Chicago based Indian-American doctor was indicted on charges of federal fraud after allegedly pocketing $1 million in payments from medicare and a private insurer for fake non-existent treatments, the Hindustan Times reported.

Federal prosecutors stated that the doctor used some of his patients’ names without their knowledge to submit fraudulent claims on their behalf.



The indictment states that during 2008 to 2013, Dr Patel's clinic fraudulently obtained, at least $950,000 in payments from Medicare, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

The indictment charged Dr Patel, 51, with seven counts of health care fraud, three counts of making false statements in relation to a health care matter and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

His arraignment is set for May 15.



The indictment specifies several instances in which Dr Patel submitted claims to either the BCBS or medicare for tests and scans being performed on patients, which in-fact were never performed.

It was further reported that on at least one occasion Dr Patel prepared a misleading electronic medical record indicating a patient had come to his office for a follow-up visit and an examination when in fact the patient had only come to his office to refill a prescription.

 

This story originally appeared in the Hindustan Times