Suresh Hemrajani
Washington Heights Doctor Arraigned In HIV Medicaid Scheme With Patients Handout

MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT- A Manhattan grand jury handed up a 14 count indictment against a Washington Heights doctor for orchestrating an elaborate scheme with patients to pretend they had HIV in order for him to get $700,000 in Medicaid funds.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Carol A. Berkman arraigned, Suresh Hemrajani, 57 on felony grand larceny and falsifying business records. He was held on $250,000 bail.

Hemrajani allegedly wrote prescriptions for HIV medications for patients without first determining if they were indeed HIV positive. His office and the patients respectively billed Medicaid for costs, the criminal complaint alleges.

The doctor drew up false patient records of his treatments to the patients, most of which only visited his office once.

By taking advantage of a program intended to assist New Yorkers who cannot afford to pay for medical care, the defendant victimized not only the neediest members of our community but also all New York taxpayers, District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance said.

Hemrajani faces up to 15 years prison if convicted of the thefts.