A physician in Bensalem, Pa., was sentenced to 168 months and must pay $4 million for his role in an illegal opioid fraud scheme, the Justice Department said in a Sept. 23 news release.
What happened?
- Neil Anand, MD, conspired to submit false claims to Medicare, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Independence Blue Cross and Anthem. The claims involved “Goody Bags” of medically unnecessary prescription drugs dispensed by in-house pharmacies owned by Dr. Anand. Insurers reimbursed more than $2.4 million.
- To entice patients to accept the Goody Bags, Dr. Anand also distributed oxycodone outside legitimate medical practice. Unlicensed medical interns filled out blank prescriptions he had pre-signed, leading to the distribution of 20,850 oxycodone tablets to nine patients.
- After learning of the investigation, Dr. Anand hid about $1.2 million in fraud proceeds by transferring the money into an account under a relative’s name for the benefit of a minor.
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