Canton doctor charged with Medicaid, health care fraud

A Canton doctor was charged Tuesday with Medicaid fraud and allegedly bilking a private medical insurer for services authorities say he did not provide to patients.

Dr. Bassel Altantawi, who practices out of Canton Urgent Care at 43033 Ford was charged with nine counts of Medicare fraud and 12 counts of health care fraud, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced. The counts could land Altantawi in prison for up to eight years. He also could face up to $100,000 in fines.

The 45-year-old physician was arraigned before East Lansing District Judge Richard Ball. Altantawi is due back in court May 9 for a preliminary hearing. He was released on $25,000 personal bond.

Efforts to reach Altantawi or his attorney were not successful.

Canton Police contacted the state Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division after their department received a complaint about the doctor allegedly billing for services that had not been rendered. The state investigation, according to Schuette’s office, found Altantawi “repeatedly” billed Medicaid and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for services he didn’t provide.

Blue Cross Blue Shield also helped in the probe, Schuette said.

The doctor also was charged with one count of continuing criminal enterprise, which is punishable by up to 20 years behind bars and/or a fine of up to $100,000.

Patients seen by Altantawi who believe they were billed for services that weren’t provided are asked to call the Health Care Fraud Division hotline at (800) 24-ABUSE.

bwilliams@detroitnews.com

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