Michigan pharmacist faces 10 years for $1.9 million healthcare fraud scheme

A Dearborn Heights, Michigan, pharmacist has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit healthcare fraud, resulting in losses of $1.9 million to Medicare, Medicaid and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan over a five-year period.

Pharmacist rabih hamdan admits to operating fraudulent prescription drug scheme

Hamdan, 41, admitted in federal court that he created and operated a scheme to submit false and fraudulent claims for prescription drugs. In many instances, his pharmacy lacked the necessary inventory to dispense these drugs but billed insurers as if they had been dispensed.

In cases where medications were never ordered by a physician, Hamdan's pharmacy still submitted claims, racking up the $1.9 million in losses.

He now faces up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. The case was investigated by the US Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.