Pakistani-American cardiologist Dr. Arjumand Hashmi, along with 15 other doctors, has agreed to pay a total of $17.7 million to settle allegations of fraudulent billing practices in the United States. The settlement, which was reached with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), follows claims that these physicians improperly billed Medicare, resulting in millions of dollars in overpayments. Dr. Hashmi, a former mayor of Paris, Texas, has been a prominent figure in both his medical practice and his community, but the settlement has drawn attention to his role in this case.
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The overbilling issue dates back more than a decade and involves claims that these cardiologists intentionally overcharged Medicare for services rendered. As part of the resolution, Dr. Hashmi agreed to pay $2.6 million. Despite this, he has denied any intent to defraud the government, asserting that the overpayments were unintentional and stemmed from errors in Medicare billing. In his statement, Dr. Hashmi clarified that these excess payments were made by Medicare, and once identified, they were fully reimbursed.
Settlement Breakdown
The $17.7 million settlement includes contributions from multiple doctors and medical practices involved in the fraudulent billing scheme. Below is a breakdown of the amounts paid by the respective practices and physicians:
- Western Kentucky Heart & Lung Associates PSC and Dr. Mohammed Kazimuddin: $6,750,000
- Heart Clinic of Paris P.A. and Dr. Arjumand Hashmi: $2,600,000
- Scranton Cardiovascular Physician Services LLC: $2,369,111
- Shannon Clinic: $996,856
- Edward W. Leahey M.D. Professional Association and Edward Leahey: $894,679
- Metropolitan Cardiovascular Consultants LLC and Ayim Djamson: $846,888
- Cardiology Center of New Jersey LLC and associates Mario Criscito, Frank Iacovone, and Sameer Kaul: $740,000
- Clovis Cardiology Associates LLC and Mahamadu Fuseini: $600,000
- Family Medical Specialty Clinic PLLC, Melecio Abordo, and June Abadilla: $409,594
- James R. Higgins M.D. Inc. and James Higgins: $395,537
- TrustCare Health LLC: $279,407
- Taj Medical Inc.: $240,000
- White River Diagnostic Clinic PLC, Margaret Kuykendall, and Seth Barnes: $234,490
- Vanguard Heart & Vascular Center P.C. and Fareeha Khan: $195,000
- Boulder Medical Center PC: $160,000
- Wellspring Cardiac Care P.A.: $50,000
This list highlights the wide scope of the case, involving several cardiology groups and associated doctors across different regions of the United States.
Dr. Hashmi’s Defense
In his response to the allegations, Dr. Hashmi emphasized that the matter was rooted in administrative errors rather than deliberate fraudulent actions. He clarified that the overpayments in question were made by Medicare, not through any intentional misconduct on his part. “The issue is 12 years old, and I have returned the excess payments made by Medicare,” Dr. Hashmi explained. He denied all allegations of fraud and stressed that he continues to practice medicine in the U.S. without any interruption.
Wider Implications for Healthcare Billing
The settlement serves as a significant reminder of the need for transparency and integrity in healthcare billing practices. Fraudulent billing, particularly in the context of Medicare, can lead to inflated costs for taxpayers and undermine trust in the healthcare system. The DOJ’s actions, including the settlement, highlight its ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent activity within the healthcare sector.
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Despite the settlement and the publicity surrounding the case, Dr. Hashmi remains active in his cardiology practice in Paris, Texas. His career, which includes multiple terms as the mayor of the city, has been well-regarded in the local community. However, this case has brought his professional conduct into the spotlight, raising important questions about the oversight of Medicare billing practices and the accountability of healthcare providers.