Posted on: December 10, 2024 01:15 PM

Share : Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp

AG announce conviction of medical billing company for stealing from surgeons who provided care to injured workers

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang today announced the conviction and sentencing of Amrish Patel, 62, of Monroe Township, New Jersey, for stealing more than $1.1 million that was intended to be paid directly to doctors who provided medical care to injured workers under the New York State Workers’ Compensation Law. Patel, who provided billing services to a Brooklyn-based orthopedic surgery practice, stole at least $1.1 million in workers’ compensation reimbursements from three surgeons by submitting falsified claim forms to the New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF). Patel used these stolen funds to pay for luxury vehicles and vacations. Patel, who previously pleaded guilty to one count of Insurance Fraud in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, was sentenced today to five years of probation and ordered to pay $300,000 in restitution to the victim doctors.

“Stealing funds meant to provide care for injured workers harms medical professionals and puts a crucial lifeline for New Yorkers at risk,” said Attorney General James. “Instead of performing the billing services he was hired to do, Amrish Patel pocketed more than a million dollars intended for doctors who provided essential care, and then spent the money on luxury vehicles and expensive vacations. I thank our partners for their collaboration in this investigation, and we will continue to go after all those who attempt to cheat our health care system for personal gain.”

Patel was responsible for submitting billing for surgeries related to work-related injuries .Patel’s companies were paid monthly service fees by the doctors – often more than $13,000 per month.

In 2018, Patel’s scheme finally unraveled when the office manager for the orthopedic practice noticed an incoming fax with a copy of a check made directly from NYSIF to one of Patel’s companies. In total, Patel stole at least $1.1 million in payments intended for three doctors for services provided between January 1, 2012, and January 4, 2019. A forensic audit of the bank accounts for Patel and his businesses revealed that the stolen funds were deposited into Patel’s corporate accounts. Patel withdrew almost $1 million in cash from the accounts and used corporate credit cards to fund vacations to London, Portugal, and Las Vegas, as well as to finance luxury vehicles from Audi and Mercedes Benz.

In January 2024, Patel was arrested and arraigned before Judge Holly Trexler in Albany City Court. In March 2024, an Albany County grand jury charged Patel with 29 counts of Insurance Fraud in the First Degree, Grand Larceny in the First, Second, and Third Degrees, Forgery in the Second Degree, Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, and Workers’ Compensation Fraud. Patel pleaded guilty before Judge Andra Ackerman in Albany County Court on September 9, 2024, to one count of Insurance Fraud in the Second Degree (a Class C felony). Patel was sentenced today by Judge Ackerman to 5 years of probation and a payment of $300,000 in restitution to the victim doctors. Patel previously paid additional restitution to the victim doctors in a prior private civil settlement.

From AG