Brookline doctor sentenced to jail, fined for Medicaid fraud

A Brookline doctor has been sentenced to 11 months in jail and ordered to pay $9.3 million for running a Medicaid fraud scheme.

Dr. Punyamurtula Kishore and his statewide chain, Preventive Medical Associates, Inc., were found guilty of fraudulently billing MassHealth for unnecessary drug tests. According to the state, Kishore collected urine samples from drug treatment centers across the state and billed the Medicaid provider for testing them, even though the people who provided the samples weren’t being treated by his clinics and the tests weren’t medically necessary.

“This case exhibited blatant theft of state funds that were supposed to go toward care for some of our most vulnerable residents. This is fraud that undermines the integrity of our health care system,” said Attorney General Maura Healey in a statement.

Under the terms of the judgement, Kishore also is required to surrender his medical license.

Two treatment center operators who allegedly participated in the scheme have been sentenced to suspended terms of two years each, while two others are still being tried. Kishore was arrested in 2011 because the state worried he was preparing to flee the country after closing several branches of his Preventive Medical Associates.

“Dr. Kishore dedicated his life’s work to treating, assisting, and serving those who have suffered from addiction,” said Eduardo Masferrer, Kishore’s attorney. “Dr. Kishore has taken responsibility for the billing issues at Preventive Medical Associates. He hopes that his accomplishments in treating those suffering from addiction will not be overshadowed by this case.”