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Indian Marketing Mogul Implicated in Massive Medicare Fraud Scheme: $11.5M Loss for NJ
Chintan Anjaria's illicit dealings caused Medicare a staggering loss of over $11.5 million.
Newark, NJ – Chintan Anjaria, the proprietor of an India-based marketing company, has openly admitted his involvement in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud, as well as participate in a scheme of illegal kickbacks. U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna unveiled these details earlier today.
Anjaria entered his guilty plea on October 31, 2023, standing before U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz at the Newark federal court. He is charged with conspiring against the Federal Anti-Kickback statute and a separate count of conspiring to commit health care fraud.
From February 2017 until May 2022, Anjaria played a central role in a bribery and kickback operation in collaboration with U.S.-based orthotic brace suppliers, telemedicine enterprises, and testing labs.
This resulted in the submission of deceitful claims to Medicare. Using his India-based marketing firm, Anjaria, and his accomplices pinpointed Medicare beneficiaries, aiming to pressure them into accepting orthotic braces and cancer genetic tests (CGX), irrespective of their actual medical needs.
"Employees of the company called beneficiaries and pressured them to agree to accept orthotic braces and/or CGX, regardless of medical necessity," documents revealed.
Further illicit transactions involved Anjaria's company offering kickbacks to telemedicine organizations in exchange for obtaining doctors' orders for orthotic braces and CGX tests.
Following this, Anjaria would direct these orders to orthotic brace vendors and U.S.-based testing labs. After submitting Medicare reimbursement claims, these entities would then allocate part of their proceeds to Anjaria, compensating for the referrals stemming from their joint conspiracy.
The entire operation inflicted a loss exceeding $11.5 million on Medicare.
If convicted, the charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud could land Anjaria a maximum of 10 years behind bars, while the conspiracy for illegal kickbacks could result in a 5-year prison term. Both charges also carry potential fines of $250,000 or twice the amount of the gross gain or loss caused by the offenses.
Anjaria awaits his sentence, which is slated for March 12, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Khanna extended his gratitude to the diligent efforts of multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The prosecution is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett J. Schuman, Senior Trial Counsel Barbara Ward, and Trial Attorney Darren Halverson.
