Indiana Physician Indicted on Medicare Fraud Charges

Written by Staff | November 16, 2009

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Adolph Yaniz, MD, of Merrillville, Ind., has been indicted on conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, aiding and abetting in healthcare fraud, taking kickbacks and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, according to a report in the Post-Tribune of Northwest Indiana.

According to the indictment, Dr. Yaniz took blood samples from his patients even when they were not needed, and he would send the samples to Munir Chaudhry, operator of Medway Diagnostic laboratories in Chicago, who would then bill private insurance companies and Medicare and Medicaid to pay for the tests.

Mr. Chaudhry then used the money received to pay the rent on Dr. Yaniz's office, which was $1,000 a month, according the report. The indictment said that Mr. Chaudhry paid for Dr. Yaniz's rent from Jan. 2008-Feb. 2009. Mr. Chaudhry told investigators that Dr. Yaniz owned him $10,000 in back rent.

No total amounts were reported on how much Mr. Chaudhry made in the scheme, but the indictment indicated nine incidences when blood samples were unnecessarily submitted, according to the report. He is also facing charges including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, payment of kickbacks and healthcare fraud.

Dr. Yaniz was also indicted on charges that he gave three patients prescriptions for hydrocodone (Vicodin) and alprazolam (Xanax) and that he gave another patient a prescription for OxyCodone, even though they were not medically necessary, according to the report.

Read the Post-Tribune's report on Dr. Adolph Yaniz.

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