A South Burlington doctor will pay $500,000 after settling a case that included allegations of Medicaid and Medicare fraud.
The U.S. attorney’s office for the District of Vermont alleged that Dr. Gamal Eltabbakh, of Lake Champlain Gynecologic Oncology, purchased seven types of drugs used in chemotherapy treatments from a Canadian distributor and other sources.
Some of the drugs had not been approved by the FDA, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
The allegations stem from the period between January 2010 and February 2012. Prosecutors say the drugs Eltabbakh used included Aloxi, Neulastum, Taxotere, Bevacizumb, Gemzar, Hycamtin and Alimta.
Under the settlement, Eltabbakh will pay $500,000 to the United States. Of that sum, $391,958 will go to the federal Medicare program. The rest will be split between the federal and state Medicaid programs, with $63,032 going to the federal program and $45,010 to the state.
According to the Justice Department news release, the agreement does not mean that Eltabbakh admits liability, nor does it mean the prosecutor’s claims were unfounded.
