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In Trenton federal court April 12, the owner and operator of Matawan-Aberdeen Heart & Medical Center admitted his role in a health care fraud scheme that resulted in $1.9 million in insurance reimbursements for false claims.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey alleged Dr. Fazal Panezai, 76, of Morganville, submitted false claims to at least six health insurance benefit programs for office visits that did not occur or did not take place for the length of time that he had claimed.

“The false claims caused insurance plans to issue reimbursement checks to the center,” according to case documents and court statements released by prosecutors. “Panezai kept the illicit profits, which totaled more than $1.9 million.”

Panezai pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner to an information charging him with participating in a health care fraud scheme. The charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of either $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.

He is slated for sentencing Aug. 20, 2024.

“Dr. Panezai successfully ran a very busy medical practice for decades in which he went above and beyond for his patients,” Robert Scrivo, an attorney and partner with Mandelbaum Barrett PC, who is representing the defendant, told NJBIZ. “Dr. Panezai treated walk-ins and gave his patients his cell phone number. In fact, it was common for Dr. Panezai to return patients calls well into the evening. Nevertheless, Dr. Panezai regrets his billing transgressions.”

See also:

• North Jersey counseling center owner admits health care fraud
• Former pharmacy exec sentenced for role in $32M kickback scheme
• Owner of shuttered Skyline nursing home chain admits $38M tax fraud
• North Jersey brothers sentenced for roles in health care fraud scheme