New Jersey Diagnostic Testing Center Owner Sentenced in Anti-Kickback Case

Ashokkumar Babaria, MD, a radiologist who owned and operated Orange (N.J.) MRI, a diagnostic testing center, has been ordered to forfeit more than $2 million in fraudulent claims, pay a $25,000 fine and has been sentenced to 46 months in prison for bribing physicians for testing referrals, according to the Department of Justice.

Orange MRI was paid nearly $2 million by Medicare and Medicaid from 2008 to 2011 for tests performed on patients who were referred to the testing center by physicians receiving illegal kickbacks, according to the report.

Dr. Babaria pleaded guilty to one count of offering and paying physicians illegal kickbacks. He admitted he negotiated and paid cash kickbacks to physicians and also provided his employees with cash to pay physicians for referrals, according to the report.

Along with Dr. Babaria, 16 other individuals have been convicted for their participation in the kickback and fraud scheme, according to the report.

More Articles on Physician Kickbacks:

8 Recent Lawsuits and Settlements Involving Hospitals
University of California Settles Conflict of Interest Suit For $10M
Amedisys to Pay $150M to Settle False Claims, Anti-Kickback, Stark Law Allegations