Pennsylvania doctor sentenced to 14 years for opioid distribution and health care fraud

Webp 2gxmy6898wgj1nbc23t5u3q4e36b
Patrick J. Campbell, Trial Attorney at U.S. Department of Justice, Northeast Health Care Fraud Strike Force | Linkedin

Pennsylvania doctor sentenced to 14 years for opioid distribution and health care fraud

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

A Pennsylvania physician has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in health care fraud, wire fraud, unlawful distribution of controlled substances, and money laundering. Neil K. Anand, M.D., age 48, from Bensalem, was also ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution and over $2 million in forfeiture.

Court documents and evidence presented at trial showed that Anand conspired to submit false claims to Medicare, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Independence Blue Cross (IBC), and Anthem. These claims were for “Goody Bags” containing prescription medications that were not medically necessary and dispensed by pharmacies owned by Anand. The health plans paid out more than $2.4 million as a result.

To encourage patients to accept these Goody Bags, Anand distributed oxycodone outside the normal course of medical practice and without legitimate medical reasons. Unlicensed interns wrote prescriptions for controlled substances using blank forms pre-signed by Anand. He prescribed a total of 20,850 oxycodone tablets for nine patients. After learning he was under investigation, Anand transferred about $1.2 million into an account under a relative’s name for the benefit of a minor relative.

In April 2025, Anand was convicted on several charges including conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, three counts of health care fraud, one count of money laundering, four counts of unlawful monetary transactions, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

The case was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General.

Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob, Patrick J. Campbell, and Arun Bodapati from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

According to the Justice Department’s Fraud Section—which leads efforts against health care fraud through its Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program—since March 2007 this program has charged over 5,800 defendants who collectively billed federal programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are also working with HHS-OIG to hold providers accountable for involvement in such schemes. More information is available at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

###

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY