An Indian-American doctor has been charged with healthcare fraud here for submitting false claims for payment totalling USD 800,000 and could face 10 years in prison.

A federal grand jury returned a 13-count superseding indictment charging Sreekrishna Cheruvu, 58, of East Amherst New York.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a USD 250,000 fine.

Assistant US attorney MaryEllen Kresse said Cheruvu treated patients for opioid addiction. He submitted false and fraudulent claims between January 2009 and May 2014 to private insurance companies seeking reimbursement for services allegedly provided.

Claims submitted by him included reimbursement for individual counselling sessions when patients were actually seen in a group therapy setting, and reimbursement for services provided even though he was out of the country.

Cheruvu is also accused of seeking payments for office visits of family members of patients who in reality where not his patients.

According to the superseding indictment, Cheruvu submitted false and fraudulent claims for payment to insurance companies totalling approximately USD 800,000.