A Peoria, Ariz., physician has pleaded guilty to a healthcare fraud scheme that caused payers at least $3.7 million in losses.
Linh Cao Nguyen, MD, pleaded guilty to defrauding several insurers, including UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare and Tricare, according to an April 4 Justice Department news release.
Dr. Nguyen admitted that he knowingly submitted thousands of false billing claims and falsely created patient records to conceal and avoid detection.
He agreed to pay restitution to the private insurance companies totaling more than $1 million, according to the release. He is scheduled to be sentenced May 28 and faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.