California Doctor Convicted of $45 Million Medicare Fraud

A federal jury convicted a California doctor of nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of obstruction of a criminal investigation of a healthcare offense, officials announced. The doctor operated the Healthy Way Medical Center in Glendale and billed Medicare for thousands of Botox injections that were either never provided or were not medically necessary, according to court records.

Prosecutors said the doctor submitted more than $45 million in false claims over four years, an amount six times higher than the next highest group of providers.

An analysis by the Health Care Fraud Section’s Data Analytics Team identified the doctor as the top recipient of Medicare payments for Botox injections in the United States. Records showed billing for procedures on dates when the doctor was traveling to Cabo, Mexico; Maui, Hawaii; Las Vegas; Pennsylvania; and New York, and on dates when the clinic was closed.

Some claims were submitted for patients who were incarcerated in federal prison at the time of the alleged treatments.

The doctor altered medical records and fabricated patient consent forms to make it appear that migraine treatments had been provided, authorities said. Funds from the scheme were used to purchase luxury vacations and collectibles, including a $3,000 painting and a $12,000 17th-century crossbow.

The doctor faces up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count and five years for each obstruction count. A sentencing date has not been set.