Amir Friedman, MD, of Calabasas, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud in the Central District of California.
The 54-year-old anesthesiologist had also been charged with receiving about $800,000 in illegal kickbacks to prescribe compounded pharmaceuticals as part of a scheme involving Beverly Hills, Calif.-based New Age Pharmaceuticals.
Primarily targeting workers’ compensation carriers, the alleged scheme defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, private carriers and union health benefit plans out of more than $150 million, according to WorkCompCentral.
More articles on anesthesia:
27 states gained Medicare-certified ASCs from 2017-18
Average salary for 5 key physician specialties
The 6 most common cases migrating to outpatient venues
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
