Chilivis Grubman attorneys recently discussed a medical provider (Dr. Mangesh Kanvinde) who paid $720,000 and agreed to exclusion to resolve allegations he violated the False Claims Act. According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s press release, Dr. Kanvinde allegedly ordered medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME) and genetic tests in exchange for kickbacks from telehealth companies.
Less than a week later, the DOJ announced another enforcement action involving telemarketing companies and medically unnecessary orders. The DOJ announced Daniel R. Canchola’s guilty plea related to his involvement in a $54 million Medicare fraud scheme, which shared very similar structure and allegations as Dr. Kanvinde’s alleged scheme. According to the DOJ, Dr. Canchola electronically signed orders for DME and cancer genetic tests that were medically unnecessary. According to the government, between August 2018 and April 2019, Dr. Canchola received $30 in exchange for each order for DME and cancer genetic tests he signed. This arrangement allegedly netted Dr. Canchola more than $466,000, according to the DOJ. Like Dr. Kanvinde, Dr. Canchola wrote orders for individuals who likely were targeted by telemarketing companies and for individuals whom he had little-to-no contact, according to the DOJ. The government alleges that the Dr. Canchola’s orders were used to submit more than $54 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare.
Dr. Canchola pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison. However, a federal district judge may consider the federal sentencing guidelines and other related factors determining sentencing. Dr. Canchola’s is scheduled to be sentenced in March 2023.
The attorneys at Chilivis Grubman represent clients of all types and sizes in connection to False Claims Act litigation, government investigations, and cybersecurity fraud investigations. If you need assistance with such a matter, please contact us today.