Federal Medicaid fraud case update: Springfield cardiologist to plead guilty

A plea hearing has been set for Nov. 8 in the health care fraud case involving Springfield cardiologist Dr. Salim Dahdah, this news organization has learned.

>> Patient records of indicted Springfield cardiologist in limbo

Dr. Salim Dahdah is expected to plead guilty, a spokesman for Benjamin Glassman, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, said Monday.

His wife, Cindy, has not signed any agreement, Ken Affeldt, assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District, said Monday night.

The Dahdahs were headed to trial in early October on a federal indictment handed up in July 2017 accusing them of unlawfully raking in more than $2 million by billing, or causing billing to be submitted, for medically unnecessary medical tests and procedures.

Federal and state law enforcement officers shut down Dahdah's practice, the Ohio Institute of Cardiac Care, in a raid for records in January 2015. That raid threw into limbo the medical records of the practice’s patients.

>> July 2017: Patients react to indictment of Springfield cardiologist

The doctor's offices on West First Street remain empty today, as do the practice's offices at a second location in Springfield.

"People should be able to get their records" now that the case appears to be headed toward a conclusion, Pam Wiley told WHIO-TV's Jim Otte on Monday.

"They can't see another doctor without them [their medical records]," Wiley said.

The judge assigned to the case must approve the plea agreement. That judge then will set punishment once Dr. Dahdah’s plea is agreed to by the defense and prosecutors. That hearing will occur in Columbus.

We will update this story as warranted.

NOTE: This update, filed @ 10:50 p.m. clarifies the earlier version indicating that both Dr. Dahdah and his wife were expected to enter guilty pleas in November.

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