Detroit Doctor Pleads Guilty to Administering Unnecessary Chemotherapy to Defraud Medicare
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yanyong/iStockphoto/Thinkstock(DETROIT) — A Detroit-area doctor pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare and insurance companies by providing patients with unnecessary chemotherapy.
Dr. Farid Fata, 49, had been accused of fraudulently billing about $225 million in claims to Medicare over a six year span. He pleaded guilty on Tuesday to 13 counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to pay or receive kickbacks, and two counts of money laundering. He could face a maximum of 175 years in prison.
“At a time when they are most vulnerable and fearful, cancer patients put their lives in the hands of doctors and endure risky treatments at their recommendation,” Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell said. “Dr. Fata today admitted he put greed before the health and safety of his patients, putting them through unnecessary chemotherapy and other treatments just so that he could collect additional millions from Medicare.”
Fata’s actions are “chilling,” Caldwell said.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh called Fata’s actions “simply deplorable.”
Fata submitted $225 million in claims to Medicare between August 2007 and July 2013, receiving over $91 million.
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