Cardiologist in Ohio Convicted of Overbilling Insurers $7.2M

A federal court jury in Cleveland, Ohio, has convicted a cardiologist of ordering unnecessary medical tests, performing unnecessary procedures and submitting fraudulent bills totaling $7.2 million.

Fifty-six-year-old Harold Persaud of Westlake was convicted of one count of health carefraud, 13 counts of making false statements and one count of engaging in illegal monetary transactions. Prosecutors say Persaud billed Medicare and private insurers for more expensive procedures than were performed, falsified stress tests to justify unnecessary heart catheterizations and referred patients for heart bypasses they didn’t need.

Persaud was accused of engaging in the scheme between 2006 and 2012. Prosecutors say the $7.2 million in fraudulent bills led to payments by insurers totaling $1.5 million.

Persaud’s attorney could not be reached for comment.