Indian-origin doctor in US sentenced to 14 years for illegal distribution of opioids, healthcare conspiracies

Indian-origin doctor Neil Anand who was convicted for a healthcare fraud in US earlier this year has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for orchestrating conspiracies to fraud, wire fraud, and unlawful distribution of controlled substances and money-laundering related offences. He was also ordered to pay over $2 million (17 crore) in restitution and over $2 million in forfeiture.

Dr Neil K Anand, 48, from Pennsylvania, conspired to submit false and fraudulent claims to health plans provided by Medicare, according to court documents and evidence presented at trial.

The US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Independence Blue Cross (IBC), and Anthem, for ‘Goody Bags’ of medically unnecessary prescription medications dispensed to patients by in-house pharmacies owned by Anand

In total, Medicare, OPM, IBC, and Anthem paid over $2.4 million in reimbursements. To entice patients to take the unwanted Goody Bags, 

Anand also conspired to distribute oxycodone outside the usual course of medical practice and without a legitimate medical purpose. In furtherance of the conspiracy, unlicensed medical interns wrote prescriptions for controlled substances using blank prescriptions that were pre-signed by Anand. 

As part of the scheme, Anand prescribed 20,850 oxycodone tablets for nine different patients. After learning that he was under investigation, Anand concealed the proceeds of the fraud by transferring approximately $1.2 million into an account in the name of a relative and for the benefit of a minor relative.

In April 2025 Anand was convicted of 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 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 investigated the case.

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

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. 

Since March 2007, this programme, currently composed of 9 strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programmes and private insurers more than $30 billion (₹266 crore).