A nationwide takedown by `Medicare Fraud Strike Force` operations in eight cities resulted in charges against 91 defendants for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes, the US Justice Department said today.
"The defendants charged in this takedown are accused of stealing precious taxpayer resources and defrauding Medicare ? jeopardising the integrity of our healthcare system and our nation`s most critical healthcare programme for personal gain," Attorney General Eric Holder said.
In Chicago, owner of a clinic that provided chiropractic, medical and physical therapy services, Neelesh Patel was charged with 15 counts of healthcare fraud.
In Detroit, among those charged include Rehan Khan, Javed Rehman, Tausif Rahman, Janaki Chettiar, Jigar Patel, Hetal Barot and Srinivas Reddy.
Ram Chand Ramrup, owner of an assisted living facility was charged in Florida.
The 91 defendants charged are accused of various healthcare fraud-related crimes, including conspiracy to defraud the Medicare programme and money laundering.
The charges are based on a variety of alleged fraud schemes involving various medical treatments and services such as home healthcare, physical and occupational therapy, mental health services, psychotherapy and durable medical equipment.
Collectively, the doctors, nurses, medical professionals, healthcare company owners are accused of conspiring to submit a total of approximately USD 295 million in fraudulent billing.