Houston Power Wheelchair Indictment Unsealed

Houston

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas has released details of a Houston power wheelchair fraud case that caused the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement its “Operation Wheeler Dealer” crackdown.

U.S. Attorney Michael Shelby’s office unsealed a 101-count indictment charging six individuals with conspiracy, health care fraud and receiving or paying illegal kickbacks in the multi-million-dollar scheme. The defendants allegedly billed Medicare and Medicaid a total of $32 million and received $16 million for fraudulent claims, according to the indictment.

Dr. Anant Mauskar, owner of a Houston medical clinic, is alleged to have routinely received kickbacks from owners of DME companies and individuals for falsely prescribing power wheelchairs. Nadine Norman, Mauskar’s office manager, is accused of setting and receiving kickback payments on Mauskar’s behalf, the indictment said.

DME providers mentioned in the indictment include Aniefiok Jimmy Eking the owner of two Houston-based companies, Medical Equipment and Supplies, and Mescorp; and Ita John Obot, owner of Best Medical Equipment & Supplies, which ceased operating in June when Medicare revoked the company’s supplier number.

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