Attorneys and prosecutors are awaiting a final decision on a plea agreement in the fraud case of a Linwood, N.J., vascular surgeon, his office manager and his center accused of filing $8.5 million in false claims, according to a Press of Atlantic City news report.
Khashayar Salartash, MD, and his officer manager, Farah Houtan, worked at Center for Lymphatic Disorders, which Dr. Salartash owned. The pair and facility were indicted in July 2009 for billing federal healthcare programs and other insurance companies for surgical procedures when, in fact, patients came in for office visits. Even after the office was questioned about claims showing surgeries being performed in the office, the location — not the procedure — was changed in order to claim a larger amount. As a result of the fraudulent claims, more than $5 million was bilked from Medicare and Medicaid, with another $3 million coming from private insurers.
According to Dr. Salartash's attorney, an offer was made before the defense counter-offered, but all parties are waiting on a final decision. Details on the offers were not included in the report. However, Dr. Salartash and Mr. Houtan's attorneys stated a deal would include dropping the charges against the center. A court date has been scheduled for Nov. 19, at which time a deal could be reached.
Read the Press of Atlantic City news report about Dr. Salartash's fraud.
Read other coverage about physician fraud:
- Los Angeles Physicians Charged for Roles in $5M Medicare Scam
- Kentucky Podiatrist Accused of 23 Counts of Medicaid Fraud
- Missouri Physician, Clinic Accused of Unnecessary Treatments, False Diagnoses Settle Lawsuit for Undisclosed Amount
Khashayar Salartash, MD, and his officer manager, Farah Houtan, worked at Center for Lymphatic Disorders, which Dr. Salartash owned. The pair and facility were indicted in July 2009 for billing federal healthcare programs and other insurance companies for surgical procedures when, in fact, patients came in for office visits. Even after the office was questioned about claims showing surgeries being performed in the office, the location — not the procedure — was changed in order to claim a larger amount. As a result of the fraudulent claims, more than $5 million was bilked from Medicare and Medicaid, with another $3 million coming from private insurers.
According to Dr. Salartash's attorney, an offer was made before the defense counter-offered, but all parties are waiting on a final decision. Details on the offers were not included in the report. However, Dr. Salartash and Mr. Houtan's attorneys stated a deal would include dropping the charges against the center. A court date has been scheduled for Nov. 19, at which time a deal could be reached.
Read the Press of Atlantic City news report about Dr. Salartash's fraud.
Read other coverage about physician fraud:
- Los Angeles Physicians Charged for Roles in $5M Medicare Scam
- Kentucky Podiatrist Accused of 23 Counts of Medicaid Fraud
- Missouri Physician, Clinic Accused of Unnecessary Treatments, False Diagnoses Settle Lawsuit for Undisclosed Amount