An Indian-American doctor named Adarsh Gupta has been found guilty by a federal jury in the United States of submitting fraudulent claims totaling over $5.4 million to Medicare.
These claims were related to orthotic braces that were ordered through a telemarketing scheme. In a specific case, Dr. Gupta prescribed a knee brace to an individual who had amputated legs.
Dr. Adarsh Gupta, an Indian-American physician based in Sewell, New Jersey, has been found guilty of healthcare fraud and making false statements related to healthcare.
Dr. Gupta was found to have signed thousands of unnecessary prescriptions for orthotic braces, benefiting over 2,900 Medicare beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries received calls from telemarketers who persuaded them to agree to accept the braces.
Dr. Gupta issued prescriptions for the braces without conducting thorough medical assessments of the beneficiaries.
In a particular situation, Gupta provided an undercover agent with prescriptions for back, shoulder, wrist, and knee braces after a brief conversation lasting just over a minute.
In another case, Gupta prescribed a knee brace to an individual who had amputated legs.
The evidence indicated that Gupta could not assess the necessity of the braces during these brief phone conversations. Nevertheless, he proceeded to sign prescriptions, falsely asserting medical necessity and care plans for the beneficiaries.
Subsequently, brace supply companies exploited these prescriptions to fraudulently bill Medicare for an amount exceeding $5.4 million. Gupta faced conviction on three counts of healthcare fraud and two counts of making false statements related to healthcare.
Gupta could potentially receive up to 10 years in prison for each healthcare fraud charge and up to 5 years for each false statement charge. The sentencing for Gupta’s case is set for October 8.
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