Indian-origin doc convicted of fraud in US

An Indian-origin doctor has been convicted by a US federal jury for his participation in conspiracies to commit healthcare fraud by giving medically unnecessary prescription medications to patients and unlawfully distributing controlled substances.

Neil K Anand, 48, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, conspired to submit false claims to Medicare, health plans provided by the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Independence Blue Cross (IBC) and Anthem for “goody bags” of medically unnecessary prescription medications.

These medications were dispensed to patients by in-house pharmacies owned by Anand, the Department of Justice said. Evidence at trial showed Medicare, OPM, IBC, and Anthem paid $2.3 million for the goody bags.