After billing the government for
more than $57 million worth of medically unnecessary painkillers, Babubhai
(Bob) Patel now faces 17 years in prison.
Owning and operating more than 26
pharmacies across metro Detroit, Patel had a myriad of doctors at his
fingertips. He paid such doctors to write orders and had recruiters offer cash
to lower-income individuals in exchange for their Medicare or Medicaid numbers. The scheme operated on a
business model that paid kickbacks to physicians in exchange for their writing
prescriptions for expensive – yet unneeded – medications. As a result, between
2006 and 2011, Patel billed Medicare and Medicaid for over $57 million. At
least 25 percent of those billings were for drugs that were never dispensed or
were unnecessary to begin with. Not only did Patel take advantage of the
government, but he also fraudulently billed to private insurers, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
In addition to the years Patel
will face behind bars, he has also been ordered to pay restitution in the
amount of $17.3 million to Medicaid and Medicare, as well an additional $1.5 million
to Blue Cross Blue Shield.
“What you have done,” the court
told Patel, “is reprehensible.”
If you have questions about
criminal matters, fraud or other legal issues, please contact Mark Mandell or
Tariq Hafeez at 248.380.0000 or online at www.MichiganFraudLawyer.com.
To learn more and read the original article, please visit: http://www.siliconindia.com/news/usindians/IndianAmerican-Jailed-for-17-Years-For-Healthcare-Fraud-nid-140144-cid-49.html
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