Lanka doctor among 14 indicted in largest ever US medicare fraud

A United States- based Sri Lankan-origin doctor is among 14 people charged in the Central District of California for allegedly participating in health care fraud schemes.

D r. Kanagasabai Kanakeswaran was indicted late last month on one count of conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for health care referrals and four counts of receiving kickbacks for health care referrals, the US Department of Justice said. Dr. Kanakeswaran is an internist ( general medicine) in Lancaster, California, and is affiliated with Antelope Valley Hospital.

He received his medical degree from the Colombo University's Faculty of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. The owners and operators of a home health company called Star Home Health Resources allegedly paid bribes to physicians, including Dr. Kanakeswaran, to refer Medicare beneficiaries for home health services to Star. As a result of his referrals alone, Star received US$ 4,157,311 from Medicare. This took place from May 2008 to May 2016. This and other indictments served alongside are being called the largest-ever health care fraud enforcement action by federal prosecutors. The defendants include doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals. Hundreds of others have been charged across the US in cases that cumulatively allege about $1.3 billion in false billings.

The nationwide sweep includes charges against more than 120 defendants -- some of whom are doctors -- who allegedly prescribed and distributed opioids and other dangerous narcotics. The 14 defendants charged in the Central District of California are accused of health care fraud and kickback schemes involving compounded drugs, home health services, physical therapy, acupuncture, Medicare Part D prescription drugs, diagnostic sleep studies and hospice care.