Atlanta Urology Practice to Pay $14M for Healthcare Fraud

Advanced Urology and Dr. Jitesh Patel settle allegations of unnecessary procedures and fraudulent billing.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:49pm

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray-style image of a human bladder and urethra, with the internal structures appearing distorted, conceptually illustrating the allegations of unnecessary medical procedures at an Atlanta urology practice.An X-ray-like image reveals the alleged internal medical abuses at an Atlanta urology practice, where unnecessary procedures were reportedly prioritized over patient care.Atlanta Today

An Atlanta-based urology practice, Advanced Urology, Inc., and its owner, Dr. Jitesh Patel, have agreed to pay $14 million to settle federal allegations of widespread healthcare fraud. The government's investigation found the practice billed federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid for services that were either unnecessary or never performed, including implanting nerve stimulators without testing, performing bladder scopes on patients under anesthesia without medical need, and conducting unnecessary electromyography tests.

Why it matters

The settlement resolves two federal lawsuits involving claims made to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE, with whistleblowers receiving nearly $3 million. This case highlights the ongoing problem of healthcare fraud, which diverts limited resources away from patients who truly need medical intervention, especially those relying on government-funded programs in the Atlanta area.

The details

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Advanced Urology and Dr. Jitesh Patel were accused of several fraudulent practices, including "upcoding" less complicated procedures to more expensive ones and ordering thousands of unnecessary ultrasounds. Whistleblowers, a former employee and a former physician, alleged the practice was designed to maximize revenue through these methods.

  • The government's investigation began after two whistleblowers filed complaints in 2018 and 2019.
  • The $14 million settlement was reached in April 2026.

The players

Advanced Urology, Inc.

An Atlanta-based urology practice that agreed to pay $14 million to settle federal allegations of healthcare fraud.

Dr. Jitesh Patel

The owner of Advanced Urology, Inc. who was involved in the alleged fraudulent billing and unnecessary medical procedures.

U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg

The U.S. Attorney who stated that "Physicians commit fraud when they seek payment for medically unnecessary procedures or bill for services they never performed."

Jim Mooney

The Deputy Attorney General of Georgia's Medicaid Fraud Division, who said that "Fraud against the Medicaid program is stealing from Georgia taxpayers – plain and simple."

Peter Ellis

The Special Agent of the FBI who noted the scheme "prioritize[d] profit over patient care."

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What they’re saying

“Physicians commit fraud when they seek payment for medically unnecessary procedures or bill for services they never performed.”

— Theodore S. Hertzberg, U.S. Attorney

“Fraud against the Medicaid program is stealing from Georgia taxpayers – plain and simple.”

— Jim Mooney, Deputy Attorney General of Georgia's Medicaid Fraud Division

“The scheme prioritize[d] profit over patient care.”

— Peter Ellis, Special Agent, FBI

What’s next

The settlement resolves the federal allegations, but it is unclear if any patients suffered long-term physical harm from the unnecessary procedures mentioned in the lawsuits.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing problem of healthcare fraud, which diverts limited resources away from patients who truly need medical intervention, especially those relying on government-funded programs in the Atlanta area. It underscores the importance of whistleblowers in exposing such fraudulent practices and the need for continued vigilance in protecting taxpayer-funded healthcare programs.