United States Attorney David Metcalf has announced criminal charges against Hemal Patel, a 59-year-old resident of Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Patel faces charges of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute in connection with a home care fraud scheme.
Patel is accused of receiving kickbacks for referring patients to home care agencies and participating in a scheme that resulted in fraudulent billing to Medicaid for services not rendered. This alleged activity led to a loss of approximately $1,069,384.38 for Medicaid.
The information filed alleges that Patel forged doctor signatures on certification forms and unlawfully used personal information without consent to enroll individuals for services they were not eligible for while these individuals were abroad.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. Assistant United States Attorney Alisa Shver is prosecuting the case.
These charges are part of a broader nationwide law enforcement action targeting health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes. The coordinated effort has led to criminal charges against 324 defendants involved in fraudulent activities amounting to over $14.6 billion in intended loss and illegal diversion of more than 15 million controlled substance pills. Authorities have seized assets valued at over $245 million during this operation.
U.S. Attorney Metcalf stated, “Health care fraud hurts us all, heightening the cost of services and threatening their availability to people in need,” emphasizing his office’s commitment to tackling fraud within federal health care programs.
