Physician sentenced to 18 months in prison for $30M Medicare, Medicaid fraud: 6 key facts

U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield sentenced Mustak Y. Vaid, MD, to 18 months in prison for participating in a $30 million scheme to defraud Medicare and the New York State Medicaid program.

Advertisement

Here are the key facts in the case:

1. Dr. Vaid falsely posed as the owner of a medical clinic and falsely claimed he had treated and examined hundreds of patients he hadn’t seen.

2, He pled guilty to healthcare fraud and conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud November 13, 2017.

3. Dr. Vaid is the seventh defendant and the first physician sentenced after pleading guilty in this case and a related case. Aleksandr Burman, the leader of the scheme, was sentenced in a related case May 8, 2017 to 10 years in prison.

4. Between 2007 and 2013, Mr. Burman owned and operated six medical clinics in Brooklyn, N.Y., that fraudulently billed Medicare and Medicaid approximately $30 million for unnecessary medical services, services that weren’t completed or were otherwise fraudulently billed.

5. Under New York state law, medical clinics must be owned and operated by a medical professional. Mr. Burman, who was not a medical professional, hired Dr. Vaid and other medical professionals to pose as nominal owners of the clinics.

6. Dr. Vaid signed fraudulent documents falsely representing him as the owner of Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Ocean Side Medical to CMS, banks and other institutions.

More articles on coding, billing and collections:
ICD-10-CM guidelines for 2019 are here — These are the changes
10 states with the lowest & highest Medicare acceptance rates
Prime Healthcare Services to pay $65M for allegedly admitting patients suited for outpatient — 6 facts

At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Advertisement

Next Up in ASC Coding, Billing & Collections

  • Atlanta-based United Digestive is planning an ASC in Watkinsville, Ga., focusing on organic growth to expand its network. The newly-constructed,…

  • At least 25 ASCs have closed over the past five years, a pattern of attrition driven by financial strain, staffing…

  • As the ASC industry continues to grow alongside new waves of surgical innovation, patient preferences and shifts to value-based care,…

Advertisement

Comments are closed.