NHCAA Presents Investigation of the Year Award

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) today presented its Investigation of the Year Award to a team of Federal agencies together with a private health insurer for their extraordinary and collaborative work on the case of United States of America v. Farid Fata, MD. This investigation involved a leading hematologist-oncologist in Michigan who deliberately misdiagnosed and maliciously mistreated hundreds of his patients for conditions they did not have, including cancer, in order to maximize billing to Medicare and private insurance.

When considering the remarkable speed in which the investigative team mobilized to stop Fata, the determination and integrity they demonstrated was a truly compelling aspect of this case. Over the course of four days, the initial tip was received, allegations were verified, and search warrants and criminal complaints were prepared, resulting in Fata's arrest. The team's swift action restored the public's confidence and provided a measure of consolation to Fata's victims.

On July 10, 2015, Fata was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison and ordered to forfeit $17.6 million for violating the trust of 553 patients and for submitting approximately $34 million in fraudulent claims. At his sentencing, U.S. District Judge Paul Borman said, "This is a huge, horrific series of criminal acts that were committed by the defendant," and then said that Fata "practiced greed and shut down whatever compassion he had."

"The focus and urgency demonstrated by this investigative team is a perfect illustration of finely honed and responsive investigative skill that saved patients from continued, unimaginable harm," said NHCAA's Chief Executive Officer, Louis Saccoccio. "The 45 year sentence handed down in this case is a clear signal that our society will not tolerate deliberate harm inflicted upon vulnerable patients by the very medical professionals entrusted with their care."

The awardees are:

The Investigation of the Year Award was presented at NHCAA's Awards Luncheon at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, in conjunction with NHCAA's Annual Training Conference, where nearly 1,400 public- and private-sector health care anti-fraud professionals are in attendance to learn about fraud trends and emerging schemes, as well as to explore innovative fraud solutions.

Founded in 1985, the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association is the leading national organization focused exclusively on the fight against health care fraud. Our members comprise more than 100 private health insurers and those public-sector law enforcement and regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over health care fraud committed against both private payers and public programs.

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SOURCE National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association