NY Doctor Faces Charges in $1 Million Healthcare Fraud Scheme
A 75-year-old New York doctor could face up to 10 years in prison after agreeing to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge related to a multi-year healthcare fraud scheme valued at roughly $1 million.
Dr. Vishnudat Seodat, an internist practicing in Long Island, was involved in a scheme that lasted from Approximately June 2013 through December 2019, according to authorities. Prosecutors allege Seodat conspired with others, including a principal at a mobile medical diagnostics company specializing in transcranial doppler (TCD) scans, to order hundreds of medically unnecessary brain scans.
TCD scans measure blood flow in specific areas of the brain. In this case, prosecutors allege Seodat and his co-conspirators utilized falsified diagnoses to justify ordering these unnecessary scans. A co-conspirator then submitted claims to Medicare and other insurance companies—including private insurers—on behalf of the diagnostics company, securing reimbursement for the unwarranted tests.
For each ordered exam, Seodat allegedly received a cash kickback of approximately $100, resulting in fraudulent billings totaling almost $1 million to Medicare and various private insurance providers.
“The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” emphasizes a statement accompanying the charges.
Officials Underscore Severity of Healthcare Fraud
The case against Seodat is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Howard Locker and Mackenzie Queenin of the Health Care Fraud Unit.
Various federal agencies collaborated on this investigation:
* Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy
* Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General
* Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division
* Jonathan Wlodyka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, Boston Field Office
* Carol S. Hamilton, Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Boston Regional Office
* Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division
* Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office.
Their concerted efforts highlight the seriousness with which government agencies treat healthcare fraud.
Sentencing guidelines for the charge of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud prescribe a maximum penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The final sentence imposed will ultimately be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
What are the potential consequences of a conviction for Dr. Seodat in the healthcare fraud scheme he is accused of participating in?
## Interview: Doctor Faces Charges in $1 Million Healthcare Fraud Scheme
**Host:** Joining us today to discuss the recent case of Dr. Vishnudat Seodat, a New York internist facing charges in a $1 million healthcare fraud scheme, is [Guest Name], a legal analyst specializing in healthcare fraud. Welcome to the show.
**Guest:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** This case involves some deeply concerning allegations. Can you provide some context for our viewers?
**Guest:** Absolutely. Dr. Seodat is accused of colluding with a diagnostics company to order hundreds of unnecessary brain scans, known as transcranial doppler scans, for his patients between 2013 and 2019.
**Host:** And what led authorities to uncover this alleged scheme?
**Guest:** Prosecutors allege that Dr. Seodat received kickbacks of about $100 for each scan he ordered. These scans were supposedly based on falsified diagnoses, allowing the diagnostics company to bill Medicare and private insurers millions of dollars for services that were entirely unnecessary.
**Host:** That’s quite alarming. What are the potential consequences for Dr. Seodat?
**Guest:** He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the conspiracy charges. This case highlights the serious penalties faced by those who engage in healthcare fraud, which not only defrauds taxpayers but also jeopardizes the health and safety of patients.
**Host:** This seems to echo recent trends we’ve seen with other healthcare fraud cases. Is that correct?
**Guest:** Absolutely. The Department of Justice is cracking down on healthcare fraud. Just earlier this year, an owner of a durable medical equipment company was sentenced to 3 and a half years in prison for an $87 million kickback conspiracy [[1](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-sentenced-87m-healthcare-fraud-kickback-conspiracy)]. These cases demonstrate the government’s commitment to holding accountable those who exploit the healthcare system for personal gain.
**Host:** We’ll be following this case closely as it develops. Thank you for sharing your insights with us today, [Guest Name].
**Guest:** My pleasure.
