Fake Treatments and Paperwork Lead to Arrest in Medicare Fraud Case
A physician has been indicted for stealing nearly $1 million in Medicare fraud scheme that also included private insurance. Dr. Pranav Patel, of the Chicago area, allegedly submitted fake insurance claims for medical tests and exams that were never conducted.
The Scam
According to the Northern District of Illinois’ U.S. Attorney’s Office, Patel used his patients’ names to pocket at least $950,000 in fraudulent payments from Medicare and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. The patients did not know he was using their information to conduct Medicare fraud, according to the documents.
He owned a clinic in the Chicago area, where he billed Medicare and the private insurers for “duplex scans” that were never actually performed on patients. These scans are non-invasive. He then made up fake documents to corroborate the exams. In one case he even made up an entire seven-page medical record for a follow-up exam that never occurred.
The Charges
The indictment charges Patel with seven counts of healthcare fraud, three counts of making false statements and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Each count carries a hefty penalty. Identity theft is a mandatory two-year sentence. Healthcare fraud may carry a 10-year sentence and making false statements another possible 5 years in prison.
To learn more about this case or report suspected fraud, contact Jeff Newman Law today!
