Indian-origin doctor in US convicted in $2.3 million healthcare fraud case | World News
An Indian-origin doctor has been convicted a US federal jury for his involvement in multiple healthcare frauds, including unlawfully dributing controlled substances and prescribing unnecessary medications.
Neil K Anand, 48, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, was found guilty of conspiring to submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Independence Blue Cross (IBC), and Anthem. According to a statement the Department of Justice (DOJ), the claims involved “Goody Bags” — pre-packaged sets of prescription medications dispensed in-house pharmacies owned Anand.
Forced medications for prescriptions
Evidence presented at trial showed that Anand and his co-conspirators required patients to accept the Goody Bags, which they neither needed nor wanted, in order to receive prescriptions for controlled substances. In total, Medicare, OPM, IBC, and Anthem paid over USD 2.3 million for these unnecessary medications.
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Anand was also convicted of conspiring to dribute oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose. Unlicensed medical interns allegedly used blank prescriptions pre-signed Anand.
As part of the scheme, Anand prescribed a total of 20,850 oxycodone tablets to nine patients.
Concealing the proceeds
After becoming aware that he was under investigation, Anand attempted to conceal the proceeds of crime transferring approximately USD 1.2 million into an account in his father’s name, set up for the benefit of his minor daughter.
Anand was convicted on multiple charges including:Story continues below this ad
Conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and wire fraud
Three counts of healthcare fraud
One count of money laundering
Four counts of unlawful monetary transactions
Conspiracy to dribute controlled substances
He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 19 and faces a statutory maximum penalty of 130 years in prison.
(With inputs from PTI)
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