Government Employees Insurance Co. (GEICO), along with its affiliates GEICO Indemnity Co., GEICO General Insurance Company, and GEICO Casualty Co., has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on December 9, 2024, accusing NY Interventional Pain Medicine PLLC and Dr. Jigynasa Desai of submitting fraudulent no-fault insurance claims.
The lawsuit claims that the defendants submitted fraudulent claims totaling over $223,000 for services that were either unnecessary or never provided.
The complaint includes allegations of bogus examinations, electrodiagnostic testing, and pain management procedures purportedly performed on automobile accident victims in New York.
GEICO contends that these services were not medically necessary and were part of a scheme designed to financially benefit the defendants.
The plaintiffs also allege that there is over $1.6 million in pending claims submitted by or on behalf of NY Interventional Pain Medicine PLLC, which they seek to avoid paying.
They assert that these claims are based on fraudulent practices, including exaggerated billing codes, illegal kickback arrangements, and violations of New York State licensing requirements.
Dr. Jigynasa Desai is named as complicit in the scheme, despite having previously been disciplined by the New York State Board for Professional Medical Conduct for professional misconduct involving negligence and inadequate documentation practices.
Her medical license was suspended but stayed, and she is serving probation under specific conditions, including oversight by a practice monitor.
GEICO is seeking recovery of the funds already paid out due to the alleged fraudulent activities and declaratory relief from paying any pending claims related to the scheme. The company is also requesting a jury trial.
The legal team representing GEICO is led by Barry I. Levy, Michael A. Sirignano, and Joshua D. Smith of Rivkin Radler LLP, based in Uniondale, New York. The case is identified under docket number 1:24-cv-08435.