A federal judge in Miami has ordered Minal Patel, a lab owner convicted of defrauding Medicare, to forfeit over $187 million in proceeds from the scam. This includes $30 million in cash, a 2018 Ferrari Spider, and real estate. Patel, based in Atlanta, was sentenced in August to 27 years in prison for submitting nearly $500 million in false claims to Medicare for sophisticated and expensive cancer genetic tests. The Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that Patel, aged 44, conspired with telemedicine companies, call centers, and patient brokers to persuade Medicare beneficiaries to undergo genetic tests through his company, LabSolutions. Telemedicine doctors were involved in robo-signing prescriptions for the tests without evaluating the patients or often even speaking to them. Medicare paid out over $187 million in false claims for these tests.
Apart from the Ferrari, valued at nearly $400,000, Patel will also forfeit a Land Rover Range Rover purchased for $215,000. The scheme involved orchestrating genetic tests through fraudulent means, exploiting Medicare beneficiaries and the healthcare system. The forfeiture order aims to recover ill-gotten gains from the fraudulent activities. Medicare is a federally run program providing health coverage, primarily to older Americans. The case underscores the need for vigilance and robust measures to combat healthcare fraud, protect public resources, and ensure the integrity of government programs. The DOJ continues to pursue legal actions against individuals and entities engaged in fraudulent schemes that exploit healthcare programs for personal gain.
