HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) – Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced that Dr. Naimentulla Syed has agreed to a $422,641.70 joint federal-state settlement to resolve allegations of submitting false claims to Medicaid and Medicare. Syed will also enter a compliance program.
"Improper billing practices involving our Medicaid program will not be tolerated," Jepsen said. "We are vigilant in working with our federal and state law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute fraudulent and abusive conduct, and we will continue to work to hold accountable those who seek to defraud and overcharge our taxpayer-funded health care programs."
According to claims made by Jepsen’s office, Syed knowingly submitted “upcoded” claims to the state Department of Social Services (DSS) for Medicaid patients. When “upcoding,” a provider knowingly uses a higher-paying code on the claim form for the patient than is medically necessary.
"As administering agency for Medicaid in Connecticut, DSS joins our state and federal partners in a strong commitment to protect the integrity of the program,” DSS Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby said. “While this false claims case does not represent medical providers as a whole, it underscores the need for continual quality control and anti-fraud oversight.”