North Carolina MD Indicted in $11M DME Scheme

A Charlotte, N.C. internist has been indicted on charges she defrauded federal healthcare programs out of more than $11 million in durable medical equipment scheme. Sudipta Mazumder, MD, 46, was indicted on one count of healthcare fraud and six counts of making false statements relating to healthcare matters.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of North Carolina, in 2019 and 2020, Mazumder worked as an independent contractor for a Delaware-based telemedicine company where she allegedly signed fraudulent orders for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment, specifically knee braces.

The indictment alleges that Mazumder falsely stated in those orders that she performed medical examinations of Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries and falsely certified that the braces were medically necessary. However, the government alleges that she had little or no contact with the patients and no determination of medical necessity was made. She simply received unsigned orders from the telemedicine company, which she signed in exchange for $20 each, according to the indictment.

She is scheduled to appear in court July 12. The healthcare fraud charge carries a maximum 10-year prison term and a $250,000 fine. The charge of making false statements relating to healthcare matters carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, per count.

DME fraud has been running rampant and the federal government has made it clear it is one of its priorities.

In March, we wrote about a dozen South Floridians who were rounded up for their roles in a fake DME prescription scheme. In May, we wrote about the conviction of the owners and operators of four orthotic brace suppliers in Texas and Arkansas recently who were convicted for their part in a $6.5 million kickback scheme who face 55 years in prison. And, in July 2021, we wrote about a couple who owned and operated two Dallas, Texas-based DME companies who were convicted in a DME fraud scheme. They later were sentenced to more than 12 years in prison and ordered to pay $27,104,359 in restitution.

Our firm represents healthcare professionals in state and federal court who are under investigation or charged with fraudulent billing, kickbacks, Medicare and Medicaid fraud and false claims, among others. For more information you can contact us at 305-358-4500 or send us an email to info@vitalehealthlaw.com and let’s discuss how we might be able to assist you.