A Charlotte physician was found guilty for her role in a scheme that defrauded federal benefits programs of more than $5 million, according to the U.S. District Attorney’s office in western North Carolina.
A federal jury returned the guilty verdict against Sudipta Mazumder, 47, a doctor in Charlotte who worked as an independent contractor for a telemedicine company. Between 2019 and 2020, Mazumder signed fraudulent orders for medically unnecessary medical equipment for patients insured by Medicare and TRICARE programs.
Mazumder falsely stated in those orders that she was treating the patients for listed medical conditions. She also stated that orthopedic braces she ordered for patients were medically necessary.
But Mazumder never examined the Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries, according to trial evidence and testimony of witnesses — in fact, Mazumder had little to no interaction with the beneficiaries and made no medical determination whether the devices were medically necessary, per the release.
She received unsigned orders from the telemedicine company for orthopedic braces for beneficiaries, which she signed and returned to the company in exchange for $20 for each purported assessment she performed, the release stated.
Mazumder remains released on bond. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
The charge of making false statements related to healthcare matters carries a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count, according to the release.
