US Cardiologist faces severe action for unindicated angiography
US: A US-based cardiac surgeon is now facing serious actions from the government on account of performing unnecessary angiographies on patients in whom the procedure was not medically indicated.
The doctor is a dual citizen of the United States and Ghana and is accused of committing 56 counts of health care fraud and aggravated identity theft. The doctor submitted fraudulent claims to their insurance companies stating he performed athrectomies for over more than 800 patients and unethically obtained over USD 29 million.
As per a press release by the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, many patients underwent unnecessary and invasive surgical procedures, while others were victimized through medical records reflecting procedures he did not perform – erroneous and misleading records that could cause doctors in the future to determine a mistaken course of medical treatment for many patients.
The 46-year-old doctor owned and operated Thorvasc PA, a Florida corporation doing business as the Heart and Vascular Institute of North Florida (HVINF) and by using a special scheme he falsely claimed to have performed over 3,000 of these surgical procedures to clear blockages in arteries in as many as 845 of his patients' legs.
As part of his plea, the doctor acknowledged engaging in a wide-ranging and consistent pattern of performing two invasive diagnostic angiography procedures - one on each leg - on hundreds of his patients, whether medically indicated or not. When his patients returned for follow-up office visits, the doctor submitted fraudulent claims to their insurance companies stating he performed athrectomies during the appointments.
"deGraft-Johnson's unscrupulous behavior placed the lives of his many patients at risk while siphoning funds from vital health care programs for personal gain," said Omar Pérez Aybar, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
"We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable health care professionals who prioritize greed over critical patient care."
To date, ongoing investigation and analysis have determined that the defendant fraudulently obtained at least USD 29 million – and very likely more. The United States is aggressively pursuing all of deGraft-Johnson's forfeitable assets in the U.S. and overseas, including luxury vehicles; jewelry; homes in Manhattan, Southampton, New York, Miami, and the Houston area; and more than USD 1 million in cash.
According to the press release, the accused doctor inappropriately gained access to his vulnerable victims by establishing relationships with churches, nursing homes, a hospital, and an outreach organization.
The conspiracy and health care fraud charges each have a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, and a maximum fine equal to twice the value of the loss to the health care benefit program. The aggravated identity theft charge has a mandatory sentence of 2 years of imprisonment, which must be consecutive to any other sentence, and a maximum fine of USD 250,000. deGraft-Johnson's sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 8, 2021, at the United States District Court in Tallahassee.
To access the official release, click on the link below-
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