U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal grand jury has indicted Chesapeake Regional Medical Center (CRMC) on charges of healthcare fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and interference with government functions. The indictment accuses CRMC of granting privileges to Javaid Perwaiz from 1984 until his arrest in 2019, despite knowing about his past termination for performing unnecessary surgeries and a conviction for two federal felonies in 1996.
According to the indictment, CRMC received approximately $18.5 million in reimbursements from health care benefit programs for procedures performed by Perwaiz between 2010 and 2019. "After Dr. Perwaiz was convicted of performing irreversible hysterectomies and other medically unnecessary surgeries on women, we continued to investigate the role that CRMC played," said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The indictment alleges that CRMC conspired with Perwaiz and others to defraud several healthcare programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE by submitting claims for elective inductions without medical necessity before 39 weeks of gestation. "These latest charges are the next step toward justice for the women that were significantly impacted by Perwaiz’ predatory actions," stated Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office.
Perwaiz allegedly misclassified inpatient surgeries as outpatient procedures at CRMC, which were reimbursed at lower rates by private health care benefit programs. "Ensuring the full measure of justice is brought to all those complicit in the heinous acts committed by Dr. Perwaiz is of the highest priority," emphasized Christopher W. Dillard from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
The indictment further reveals that CRMC re-credentialed Perwaiz every two years despite knowledge of his felony conviction and malpractice lawsuits related to procedures he performed at their facility. Maureen Dixon from HHS-OIG remarked on CRMC's alleged disregard for patient care: "HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners are committed to investigating allegations of patient harm."
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca Gantt and Elizabeth M. Yusi are handling the prosecution.
Individuals who believe they may be victims or have information regarding this case are encouraged to contact HHS-OIG via their tipline or online portal.
An indictment is an accusation; defendants remain innocent until proven guilty.
