Trenton Doctor Bilked Medicare, Medicaid While Abroad

NEWARK, N.J. – A Trenton- and Delran-based doctor is facing serious allegations of ripping off the system, billing Medicaid and Medicare for patient visits that never actually happened. U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced charges against Vedat Obuz, 54, of Merion Station, Pennsylvania, alleging a brazen scheme to pocket funds while jet-setting around the globe.

Obuz is charged with one count of health care fraud. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark federal court and was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond. The feds say the doctor wasn’t just taking vacations; he was actively defrauding the healthcare system while on those vacations.

According to court documents, between July 2014 and October 2018, Obuz allegedly billed Medicaid a staggering $358,779 and Medicare $57,396 for patient care he couldn’t have provided. The billing codes clearly indicated he was the treating physician, requiring his physical presence – a presence he demonstrably lacked. The man was claiming to see patients while thousands of miles away.

The evidence is damning. Travel records show Obuz was enjoying the sights of Tel Aviv, Israel, from November 1-6, 2017. Yet, on November 2-4, 2017, he billed Medicare and Medicaid a cool $4,660 for treating roughly 30 patients. The scam continued in April 2018, when he was in Istanbul, Turkey, from April 18-22. Despite being overseas, Obuz allegedly billed $7,770 for seeing 53 patients on April 19-21. That’s a lot of phantom appointments.

If convicted, Obuz faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a hefty fine – up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the fraud. This isn’t a slap on the wrist; it’s a serious federal offense. The investigation was a joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the FBI’s South Jersey Resident Agency, and the Camden County Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara F. Merin of the Health Care and Government Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. It’s important to remember that these are merely allegations, and Obuz is presumed innocent until proven guilty. He is being represented by Ernest E. Badway Esq. of Morristown, New Jersey. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments.