In August 2025, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced the sentencing of Dr. Niranjan Mittal, a Brooklyn cardiologist, to 37 months in prison. Dr. Mittal pled guilty to one count of violating the Anti-Kickback Statute in connection with a scheme that included improper payments for referrals and billing for medically unnecessary procedures.
According to court documents, Mittal paid other providers under the guise of lease agreements, ensuring a steady flow of patient referrals to his clinic. Once referred, patients often underwent a series of tests and vascular procedures that were not medically required. Records were falsified to justify the treatments, which resulted in more than $40 million in insurance reimbursements between 2016 and 2023.
In addition to the prison term, Mittal was ordered to forfeit proceeds traceable to the offense and will serve two years of supervised release. The case was prosecuted by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit with investigative support from HHS-OIG, IRS-CI, and Homeland Security Investigations.
While the outcome is specific to one physician, it raises broader considerations for healthcare organizations. Cases like this highlight the importance of auditing, monitoring, and maintaining effective compliance programs. Preventing misconduct not only protects patients but also helps sustain trust in the healthcare system.
Healthicity
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