The United States government has launched a legal complaint under the False Claims Act against Vohra Wound Physicians Management LLC and its founder, Dr. Ameet Vohra. The allegations claim the submission of false claims to Medicare, involving overbilled and medically unnecessary wound care services. Based in Miami, Vohra contracts with various nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities in the U.S. to provide wound care services.
U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida stated, "This office is committed to protecting our nation’s seniors and the important federal programs that support them." He emphasized the need to act against providers exploiting public funds for personal gain.
Michael D. Granston of the Justice Department's Civil Division remarked, "Providers that overbill the government for services, or bill for services that are unreasonable or medically unnecessary, undermine the integrity of the Medicare program and waste taxpayer dollars."
The complaint alleges that Vohra engaged in a nationwide scheme, which included the use of specialized Electronic Medical Record software to bill nonsurgical procedures as surgeries, affecting Medicare billing. Furthermore, Vohra reportedly employed physicians lacking in wound care expertise while pressuring them to meet revenue targets rather than focusing on patient care needs.
Acting U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons for the Southern District of Georgia added, "Healthcare fraud is harmful to all consumers, artificially and unnecessarily increasing the costs of care for everyone."
The government accuses Vohra of submitting claims unjustly by using Modifier 25 billing codes inappropriately, misrepresenting examination, evaluation, and management services.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, along with the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the Southern District of Georgia, is overseeing this case. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General supports the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Cheek, Trial Attorney Kirsten Mayer of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Grover for the Southern District of Georgia are leading the proceedings. The case is filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida under the caption United States v. Dr. Ameet Vohra; Vohra Wound Care Management, LLC; and VHS Holdings, PA.
The government has yet to determine liability, making the claims in the complaint mere allegations at this stage. Further information is available on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida.