Morganville Cardiologist Admits To Insurance Fraud

MATAWAN, NJ — A Morganville man who owns Matawan-Aberdeen Heart & Medical Center admitted he ran a $1.9 million insurance fraud scheme.

U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced the guilty plea Friday.

Dr. Fazal Panezai, 76, of Morganville, pleaded guilty in Trenton federal court to one count of participating in a healthcare fraud scheme.

U.S. Attorneys says that for years Panezai submitted false claims to at least six health insurance companies, for office visits that either never occurred or did not take place for the length of time that he claimed. Panezai also billed health insurance providers over $80,000 for office visits when he was out of the country. He also submitted claims for office visits when patients only picked up a prescription from the front desk and never met with him.

Panezai kept the insurance reimbursements, which totaled more than $1.9 million.

He will be sentenced Aug. 20 and is facing 10 years in prison.