Indian-Origin Doctor in US Fined £1.6 Million for Faking Surgeries

A 63-year-old Indian-origin doctor based in Houston, Texas, has been ordered to pay over $2 million (£1.6 million / ₹17.4 crore) to settle allegations of healthcare fraud after he was found to have falsely billed for surgeries that never took place.

Dr Ajay Aggarwal, an anaesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist, agreed to pay $2,053,515 to resolve claims that he submitted fraudulent bills to Medicare and the US Department of Labor’s Workers' Compensation Programmes between November 2021 and March 2023.

According to a statement released by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, Dr Aggarwal was accused of billing for surgical implantation of neurostimulator electrodes, procedures that are typically invasive, require an operating theatre, and attract thousands of dollars in reimbursements from federally funded healthcare programmes.

No Surgery, No Incision – Just Electro-Acupuncture

However, investigators found that no such surgical procedures were ever performed. Instead, Aggarwal reportedly used electro-acupuncture devices, placing thin wires in patients’ ears and taping a small neurostimulator behind the ear. This technique does not require any incision or surgery and was carried out at his clinic—not in a hospital or surgical setting.

Despite the non-surgical nature of the treatment, the doctor allegedly falsely billed the government as if full surgical operations had taken place.

Aggarwal runs a network of clinics under the name The Pain Relief & Wellness Center, with branches in Bellaire, Lake Jackson, and Van Vleck in Texas, through his company PRWCSWTX LLC.

US Attorney Slams ‘Brazen’ Fraud

US Attorney Nicholas J Ganjei condemned the scheme, stating, “This kind of fraudulent billing exploits taxpayer-funded programmes and will not be tolerated. We will continue to pursue those who seek to enrich themselves through deception.”

The settlement includes no admission of liability by Aggarwal but resolves the civil claims brought under the False Claims Act. Authorities say efforts to recover fraudulent Medicare payments remain a top enforcement priority.