US: Indian-origin physician pleads guilty to illegally distributing controlled substances
What's the story
An Indian-origin woman in the US, Madhu Aggarwal (68), has pleaded guilty to charges of unlawfully distributing controlled substances and healthcare fraud, US Attorney Scott Brady said. Aggarwal, a physician who practiced at a clinic in Pennsylvania, and others conspired together to create and submit unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances such as buprenorphine and then unlawfully dispensed those substances to other persons. Here's more.
Healthcare fraud
Physician allegedly caused fraudulent claims before federal insurance program
Aggarwal, who pleaded guilty to the charges before US District Judge Arthur Schwab, is also charged with healthcare fraud for allegedly causing fraudulent claims to be submitted to federal insurance program Medicare for payments to cover the costs of the unlawfully prescribed buprenorphine. Aggarwal will face a sentence of 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for the controlled substances offenses.
Information
Aggarwal will face additional 10 years sentence, $250,000 fine
Schwab scheduled the sentencing for November. Aggarwal faces an additional maximum imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of $250,000 for the healthcare fraud charge.