A federal jury recently found a physician from Queens, New York, guilty of submitting over $24 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare. Allegations included ordering unnecessary laboratory tests and orthotic braces, in exchange for cash kickbacks and bribes. This case highlights several aspects of a typical healthcare fraud case, including:
- Fraudulent billing practices: The physician ordered expensive cancer genetic tests for patients he never treated or examined. He billed Medicare for office visits that never occurred, demonstrating fraudulent billing practices.
- Illegal kickbacks and bribes: The physician received cash kickbacks from laboratories and a durable medical equipment supply company. The government provided evidence to support this in the form of an undercover video showing the physician receiving cash in exchange for signed prescriptions for the braces.
- Impact on Medicare: The fraudulent activities led to over $24 million in Medicare claims, with more than $2.1 million paid to involved parties.
The physician faced multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and solicitation of healthcare kickbacks. The courts found a doctor guilty of ten counts, including healthcare fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count of healthcare fraud and solicitation of kickbacks, and five years for conspiracy charges. Sentencing will occur later this summer.
These legal consequences serve as a warning to healthcare professionals about the risks of allegations of healthcare fraud. Anyone that finds themselves under investigation facing similar charges is wise to take the matter seriously and begin building a defense to protect their rights and interests.
Attorney John Rivas is responsible for this communication.
