Las Vegas physician Rakesh Nathu will pay the federal government $5.7 million plus interest to settle allegations that he submitted false claims to federal healthcare plans for radiation oncology services, including intensity- modulated radiation therapy, the Justice Department said.
“This case is about stealing millions of dollars from taxpayers,” Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a DOJ media release. “And we’ll continue to fight this kind of unconscionable abuse of our Medicare program.”
The government alleged that Nathu submitted improper claims to Medicare, TRICARE and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan from 2007 through 2009. Federal investigators alleged that Nathu double billed for procedures affiliated with radiation treatment plans, billed for high reimbursement radiation oncology services when a different, less expensive service should have been billed, and billed for medically unnecessary radiation oncology services.
“Patients, employees, and others who suspect billing fraud on the part of doctors should not hesitate to report such fraud to federal authorities,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada Daniel G. Bogden. “Persons who file dishonest claims with the government in order to enrich themselves will be investigated and aggressively pursued by the Department of Justice.”
John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.