An indictment against an Oak Park, Mich., internist was unsealed today for charges related to Anti-Kickback Statute violations, according to a news release by the Department of Justice.
Pramod Raval, MD, allegedly conspired with the owner and operator of home health agency Patient Choice Home Healthcare, Muhammad Shahab, who would pay Dr. Raval kickbacks in exchange for patient referrals and access to Medicare beneficiaries under Dr. Raval's care. Mr. Shahab was also charged for his role in the fraud scheme, and he pleaded guilty to the allegations earlier this year.
Dr. Raval's indictment coincides with arrests of four other Detroit-area residents, who are alleged to have participated in a large-scale $14.5 million Medicare fraud scheme that involved recruiting patients to home health agencies, Patient Choice and All American Home Care. Allegedly, Medicare beneficiaries, who were recruited to the agencies in exchange for kickbacks paid by agency owners, received home health therapy services that were medically unnecessary or were never performed. Information was also allegedly falsified in order to justify fraudulent bills submitted to Medicare.
Read the DOJ news release about Dr. Pramod Raval's alleged fraud.
Read other coverage about physician fraud:
- Las Vegas Surgeon Keeps Medical License After Pleading Guilty in Fraud Case
- Healthcare Fraud Lawsuit Filed Against N.C. Internist
- California Internist's License Revoked for Facilitating Healthcare Fraud
Pramod Raval, MD, allegedly conspired with the owner and operator of home health agency Patient Choice Home Healthcare, Muhammad Shahab, who would pay Dr. Raval kickbacks in exchange for patient referrals and access to Medicare beneficiaries under Dr. Raval's care. Mr. Shahab was also charged for his role in the fraud scheme, and he pleaded guilty to the allegations earlier this year.
Dr. Raval's indictment coincides with arrests of four other Detroit-area residents, who are alleged to have participated in a large-scale $14.5 million Medicare fraud scheme that involved recruiting patients to home health agencies, Patient Choice and All American Home Care. Allegedly, Medicare beneficiaries, who were recruited to the agencies in exchange for kickbacks paid by agency owners, received home health therapy services that were medically unnecessary or were never performed. Information was also allegedly falsified in order to justify fraudulent bills submitted to Medicare.
Read the DOJ news release about Dr. Pramod Raval's alleged fraud.
Read other coverage about physician fraud:
- Las Vegas Surgeon Keeps Medical License After Pleading Guilty in Fraud Case
- Healthcare Fraud Lawsuit Filed Against N.C. Internist
- California Internist's License Revoked for Facilitating Healthcare Fraud