On November 22nd, a jury delivered a guilty plea to Dr. Pyaam Toobian and his company, America’s Imaging Center, Inc. The charges against the doctor and company included multiple felony charges related to medical misconduct. The group is accused of participating in a fraudulent kickback scheme.
Dr. Toobain has been convicted of third degree grand larceny, third degree health care fraud, violating social services law statutes, and first degree falsifying of business records.
According to court records, an investigation into the company began back in January 2006. The investigation was prompted when it was alleged that Dr. Toobin was paying two physicians in gift cards and cash in exchange for referring patients to his business for treatment.
During the years-long case, investigators discovered that Toobin was directing his employees to add unordered radiological procedures that were not necessary for patients. The goal of doing this was to increase the patient’s bill fraudulently and increase the payments the company would receive from Medicaid insurance. Toobin reportedly continued to commit this scheme from January of 2014 to August of 2017. He reportedly charged extra for unnecessary procedures like invasive injections, MRIs of the brain, and MRI scans of the cervical spine. All of these unnecessary tests were ordered without the knowledge of physicians who were referring patients to the clinic.
Unfortunately, this case revealed how some doctors are not prioritizing patient health but instead attempting to upcharge insurance companies to keep their businesses going.
Medicaid Fraud: Is it Really That Serious?
Some people believe Medicaid fraud isn’t that serious, but the consequences of this type of behavior from a medical professional can be significant. This type of medical fraud causes a patient undue harm.
Third-degree grand larceny, one of the crimes Dr. Toobin was convicted of, is a class D felony in New York. It commonly leads to a prison sentence of up to seven years. Third degree health care fraud is also a class D felony. It can result in a prison sentence of up to seven years. First degree falsifying of business records is a class E felony and carries a sentence of up to four years in prison.
While each of these crimes on their own is very serious, getting convicted of three felonies at once is a big deal. The severity of the convicted individual’s sentence will increase with each additional charge.
Have you recently been charged with healthcare fraud, Medicaid fraud, grand larceny, or a similar crime? Are you in New York or a nearby city? If so, then our qualified attorneys are prepared to help you determine your best legal strategy to navigate your charges. We’ll listen to the facts of your case, inform you about the potential defense strategies that might apply in your situation, and help you build a solid defense.
Are you ready to get started? Schedule a meeting with our firm now to learn more about how our criminal defense team can help you navigate your situation.
