A doctor of Indian descent, Neil K Anand, has been found guilty of a USD 2.3-million healthcare scam and could be sentenced to as long as 130 years in prison. Anand had patients accept “goody bags,” which were useless to them, in order to obtain prescriptions for regulated drugs. He dispensed more than 20,000 oxycodone tablets, which are a very addictive opioid analgesic. He also signed blank prescription letterheads and had medical interns write prescriptions for unregulated substances.
Anand, a 48-year-old MD from Pennsylvania, provided fraudulent paperwork to Medicare, the federal health insurance program in the United States. According to a press release from the Office of Public Affairs of the US Department of Justice, he also forged documents that were sent to the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Independence Blue Cross (IBC), and Anthem.
Over 1 lakh died in US from drug overdoses in 2022
As per data from the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC), over 100,000 individuals lost their lives in the US in 2022 from drug overdoses, with more than 80,000 of those deaths attributed to opioid addiction.
The distribution of regulated medications took place in the pharmacies operated by Anand.
This is where the goodie bags were handed out. The overall expense of the item exceeded USD 2.3 million and was covered by Medicare, OPM, IBC, and Anthem.
The trial against Anand showed that the conspirators forced patients to accept goody bags they neither required nor desired, in return for prescriptions for controlled substances.
Lacking a valid medical reason, Anand plotted to distribute oxycodone outside the normal scope of professional behavior. Oxycodone is a potent opioid pain reliever and one of the substances contributing to worsening drug addiction in the US.
He signed blank prescriptions and had unauthorized medical interns create prescriptions for unregulated drugs.
Anand prescribed more than 20,000 oxycodone tablets to nine people
With this, Anand prescribed more than 20,000 oxycodone tablets to nine individuals.
Despite the commencement of the investigation into Anand, he tried to hide his deceit by moving almost USD 1.2 million into an account named after his father. It was announced for the advantage of his underage daughter.
Neil Anand faces penalty of upto 130 years
On April 15, a federal jury in the United States determined that Anand plotted to engage in healthcare fraud and wire fraud.
The charges filed against him involve illegal financial transactions, healthcare fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to distribute regulated substances.
Anand could receive a maximum legal sentence of 130 years in prison, starting his term on August 19. A judge from a federal district court will determine his sentence by taking into account the US Sentencing Guidelines and additional statutory regulations.
