<p>A 51-year-old Chicago-based Indian-American doctor pleaded guilty to two federal counts of healthcare fraud, for billing Medicaid and private insurers for treatments that were never provided.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Progressive Women's Healthcare, a gynaecology and obstetrics speciality, was owned and controlled by Mona Ghosh.</p>

<p>Ghosh and her staff had filed payment claims to Medicaid, TRICARE, and many other insurance companies for operations and services that were either not medically required or not rendered at all.</p>

<p>According to the United States Attorney's Office, Ghosh "fraudulently overstated the length and complexity of in-office and telemedicine visits and submitted claims using billing codes for which the visits did not qualify to seek higher reimbursement rates."</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-supreme-court-rules-trump-has-some-immunity-from-prosecution-737142">US Supreme Court rules Trump has some immunity from prosecution</a></strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-supreme-court-rules-trump-has-some-immunity-from-prosecution-737142/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Attorney's Office further stated that she admitted to fabricating medical records to back up the fake claims for payment to the insurance companies.</p>

<p>Ghosh, the Indian-American physician from Inverness, Illinois, pleaded guilty to two counts of healthcare fraud on June 27. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for October 22.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/domestic-violence-tennessee-introduces-us-first-of-its-kind-gps-tracking-law-737089">Domestic violence: Tennessee introduces first-of-its-kind GPS tracking law in US</a></strong></p>

<p>According to the US Attorney's office, Ghosh is responsible for getting at least USD 2.4 million (about Rs 20.03 crore) in reimbursements through fraud. A US court will determine the total sum during the sentence.</p>

<p>Ghosh was charged with healthcare fraud in March of last year after a federal grand jury indicted her. CBS News stated that the indictment reported that the doctor and her clinic used deceptive methods to acquire USD 796,000, or approximately Rs 6.64 crore.</p>

<p>Thirteen charges of healthcare fraud were brought against Ghosh, and each carries a ten-year prison sentence.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A 51-year-old Chicago-based Indian-American doctor pleaded guilty to two federal counts of healthcare fraud, for billing Medicaid and private insurers for treatments that were never provided.

A 51-year-old Chicago-based Indian-American doctor pleaded guilty to two federal counts of healthcare fraud, for billing Medicaid and private insurers for treatments that were never provided. Progressive Women's Healthcare, a gynaecology and obstetrics speciality, was owned and controlled by Mona Ghosh. Ghosh and her staff had filed payment claims to Medicaid, TRICARE, and many other insurance companies for operations and services that were either not medically required or not rendered at all. According to the United States Attorney's Office, Ghosh "fraudulently overstated the length and complexity of in-office and telemedicine visits and submitted claims using billing codes for which the visits did not qualify to seek higher reimbursement rates." Watch | US Supreme Court rules Trump has some immunity from prosecution × Attorney's Office further stated that she admitted to fabricating medical records to back up the fake claims for payment to the insurance companies. Ghosh, the Indian-American physician from Inverness, Illinois, pleaded guilty to two counts of healthcare fraud on June 27. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for October 22. Also read: Domestic violence: Tennessee introduces first-of-its-kind GPS tracking law in US According to the US Attorney's office, Ghosh is responsible for getting at least USD 2.4 million (about Rs 20.03 crore) in reimbursements through fraud. A US court will determine the total sum during the sentence. Ghosh was charged with healthcare fraud in March of last year after a federal grand jury indicted her. CBS News stated that the indictment reported that the doctor and her clinic used deceptive methods to acquire USD 796,000, or approximately Rs 6.64 crore. Thirteen charges of healthcare fraud were brought against Ghosh, and each carries a ten-year prison sentence. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian-American doctor admits to $2.4mn fraud, faking treatment for higher insurance payouts

<p>In a significant legal victory for transgender rights, US District Judge Robert Hinkle on Wednesday (June 21) struck down a Florida rule and statute that prohibited state Medicaid payments for transgender healthcare. This marks the second defeat in two weeks for anti-transgender legislation in Florida.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What the judge said</strong></h2>

<p>Judge Hinkle declared the state's practices invalid, stating that they violated the constitutional right to equal protection under the 14th Amendment, as well as the federal Medicaid statute and the Affordable Care Act's prohibition of sex discrimination.</p>

<p>The ruling, as per Reuters, was not unexpected. Judge Hinkle had already issued a partial block on Florida's ban on gender-affirming care for individuals under 18 on June 6.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gender-identity-is-real-judge-places-temporary-halts-ban-on-gender-affirming-care-for-transgender-children-601490">'Gender identity is real': Judge temporarily halts Florida law banning gender-affirming care for trans kids</a></strong></p>

<p>In his 54-page ruling, Judge Hinkle emphasised the reality of gender identity. He said that those who oppose transgender existence "tend to disapprove all things transgender and so oppose medical care that supports a person's transgender existence."</p>

<p>He also noted that gender identity is a real aspect of a person's life.</p>

<p>"The elephant in the room should be noted at the outset. Gender identity is real. The record makes this clear," he wrote in his ruling.</p>

<h2><strong>Anti-trans laws and the United States</strong></h2>

<p>Similar laws banning gender-affirming care have been blocked by district court judges in other states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, and Oklahoma.</p>

<p>According to the Human Rights Campaign, Republican lawmakers have however introduced over 500 bills restricting LGBTQ rights during the past legislative year, with more than 70 of them passing into law.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musks-tweet-on-whatisawoman-fans-twitter-buzz-heres-all-you-need-to-know-600021">Elon Musk's tweet on #WhatIsAWoman fans Twitter buzz. Here's all you need to know</a></strong></p>

<p>So far, 20 states have enacted laws banning gender-affirming care for minors. The sponsors of these laws claim that they aim to protect children who may be misled by parents and doctors and later regret their gender transition.</p>

<h2>Who was behind the lawsuit?</h2>

<p>The plaintiffs in the case included two transgender adults, August Dekker and Brit Rothstein, as well as two transgender minors who filed under pseudonyms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the opposing side was the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and its secretary, Jason Weida.</p>

<h2><strong>What is Medicaid</strong>?</h2>

<p>Medicaid, as per the US Department of Health and Human Services, &nbsp;is a joint federal and state programme that helps cover medical costs for some people with limited income and resources.</p>

<p>The AHCA had initially approved Medicaid payments for gender-affirming care, but in 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis ordered the agency to conduct a new analysis, which led to a reversal of the decision.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Judge Henkin found that the subsequent process was biased and aimed at justifying a predetermined outcome, rather than conducting a fair analysis of the evidence.&nbsp;As per him, the AHCA "retained only consultants known in advance for their staunch opposition to gender-affirming care."&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


In a significant legal victory for transgender rights, US District Judge Robert Hinkle on Wednesday (June 21) struck down a Florida rule and statute that prohibited state Medicaid payments for transgender healthcare.

In a significant legal victory for transgender rights, US District Judge Robert Hinkle on Wednesday (June 21) struck down a Florida rule and statute that prohibited state Medicaid payments for transgender healthcare. This marks the second defeat in two weeks for anti-transgender legislation in Florida. What the judge said Judge Hinkle declared the state's practices invalid, stating that they violated the constitutional right to equal protection under the 14th Amendment, as well as the federal Medicaid statute and the Affordable Care Act's prohibition of sex discrimination. The ruling, as per Reuters, was not unexpected. Judge Hinkle had already issued a partial block on Florida's ban on gender-affirming care for individuals under 18 on June 6. Also read | 'Gender identity is real': Judge temporarily halts Florida law banning gender-affirming care for trans kids In his 54-page ruling, Judge Hinkle emphasised the reality of gender identity. He said that those who oppose transgender existence "tend to disapprove all things transgender and so oppose medical care that supports a person's transgender existence." He also noted that gender identity is a real aspect of a person's life. "The elephant in the room should be noted at the outset. Gender identity is real. The record makes this clear," he wrote in his ruling. Anti-trans laws and the United States Similar laws banning gender-affirming care have been blocked by district court judges in other states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, and Oklahoma. According to the Human Rights Campaign, Republican lawmakers have however introduced over 500 bills restricting LGBTQ rights during the past legislative year, with more than 70 of them passing into law. Also read | Also read | Elon Musk's tweet on #WhatIsAWoman fans Twitter buzz. Here's all you need to know So far, 20 states have enacted laws banning gender-affirming care for minors. The sponsors of these laws claim that they aim to protect children who may be misled by parents and doctors and later regret their gender transition. Who was behind the lawsuit? The plaintiffs in the case included two transgender adults, August Dekker and Brit Rothstein, as well as two transgender minors who filed under pseudonyms. On the opposing side was the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and its secretary, Jason Weida. What is Medicaid? Medicaid, as per the US Department of Health and Human Services, is a joint federal and state programme that helps cover medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. The AHCA had initially approved Medicaid payments for gender-affirming care, but in 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis ordered the agency to conduct a new analysis, which led to a reversal of the decision. Judge Henkin found that the subsequent process was biased and aimed at justifying a predetermined outcome, rather than conducting a fair analysis of the evidence. As per him, the AHCA "retained only consultants known in advance for their staunch opposition to gender-affirming care." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Federal judge upholds transgender rights, strikes down Florida's Medicaid ban on healthcare

medicaid-services

Medicaid Services, News on Medicaid Services, stories on Medicaid Services, articles on Medicaid Services, Medicaid Services stories at Wion, Medicaid Services news, Medicaid Services latest news

medicaid services

Indian-American doctor admits to $2.4mn fraud, faking treatment for higher insurance payouts

Federal judge upholds transgender rights, strikes down Florida's Medicaid ban on healthcare