Ghanshyam Bhambhani, MD, a former New York cardiologist, has agreed to pay $2 million to settle claims that he paid other physicians for patient referrals.
According to a federal investigation, Bhambhani made the fraudulent payments—disguised as rent payments—from 2010 to 2017. he also submitted falsified health records “to justify cardiac procedures.” In 2018, Bhambhani surrendered his medical license and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.
“Paying kickbacks for patient referrals erodes the integrity of our healthcare system and costs taxpayers precious dollars,” Seth D. DuCharme, acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a an official statement. “Doctors must put patients first, not treat them like commodities unscrupulously paid for with government funds.”
Bhambhani has agreed to work with the government going forward.
A whistleblower originally brought these allegations forward under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.