NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Houston, TX, November 29, 2024: Dr. Rajesh Bindal, a 53-year-old neurosurgeon from Sugar Land, Texas has agreed to pay $2,095,946 to settle allegations of submitting false claims for medical procedures, according to U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Dr. Bindal, who practiced through the Texas Spine & Neurosurgery Center P.A., allegedly billed Medicare and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) for surgical implantation of neurostimulator electrodes between March 2021 and April 2022. These procedures typically require an operating room and are reimbursed at thousands of dollars per procedure by federal health care programs.
However, investigators allege that neither Dr. Bindal nor his staff performed these surgeries. Instead, patients reportedly received electro-acupuncture devices, which involved placing monofilament wire a few millimeters into the ear and securing the device with adhesive tape. These placements, often performed by a device sales representative or a physician assistant, were billed as full surgical procedures.
The placements occurred in Bindal’s clinic rather than a hospital or surgical center, and no incisions were made. Many patients reported that the devices fell off after a few days as the adhesive loosened.
“A neurosurgeon, like Bindal, should know when he is and is not performing surgery,” said U.S. Attorney Hamdani. “Submitting false claims undermines trust in our federal health care system and takes advantage of programs meant to serve our most vulnerable populations.”
Jason E. Meadows, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (DHHS-OIG), highlighted the impact on public trust. “Dr. Bindal deceived Medicare and its beneficiaries, undermining critical resources meant to provide necessary care,” he said.
Derek M. Holt, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General (OPM-OIG), emphasized that false claims harm both federal health care programs and their members.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, DHHS-OIG, and OPM-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Collins led the legal efforts to resolve the matter.
