Mona Ghosh, a 52-year-old Indian-American gynaecologist based in Chicago, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for a multi-million dollar healthcare fraud that endangered the health and fertility of her patients.
Between 2018 and 2022, Ghosh orchestrated a scheme involving false diagnoses, unnecessary and sometimes non-existent procedures, and fraudulent billing, pocketing over $2.4 million from federal health programmes and private insurers. The court has ordered her to pay $1.5 million in restitution, and she faces multiple civil lawsuits from affected patients.
A Web of Deceit: Patients Betrayed and Lives Altered
Dr Mona Ghosh operated Progressive Women’s Healthcare in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where she built a reputation as a trusted OB-GYN, particularly among women from lower-income and minority backgrounds. However, investigations revealed a disturbing pattern: Ghosh routinely misdiagnosed patients with serious conditions such as cancer, pressuring them into undergoing aggressive, unnecessary procedures.
Many of these treatments, including endometrial ablations and biopsies, were not only unwarranted but also performed without proper consent, resulting in lasting physical and emotional trauma. Several women lost their fertility as a direct consequence. Former patient Socorro Urbano, who is now part of a civil lawsuit against Ghosh, stated, “She has altered lives indefinitely; it’s something you can’t take back.”
During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama condemned Ghosh’s actions, saying, “You irrevocably harmed women who put their trust in you. You used your patients to bankroll your luxurious lifestyle.” Ghosh’s medical license has been permanently revoked, and she is required to report to prison in September 2025.
How the Fraud Unfolded: Investigations and Legal Fallout
Federal prosecutors, with support from the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services, uncovered that Ghosh’s scheme was both elaborate and systematic. She directed her staff to falsify patient records, exaggerate symptoms, and use incorrect billing codes to inflate insurance claims. The fraudulent activities targeted Medicaid, TRICARE, and private insurers, resulting in more than $2.4 million in illicit gains.
Investigators found that many procedures were either never performed or medically unnecessary, with some patients unaware that their medical records had been falsified. The trauma inflicted on patients was a key factor in the severity of Ghosh’s sentence.
In addition to the criminal case, nearly 100 former patients are pursuing civil lawsuits, seeking compensation for the physical and psychological harm they endured. The case has prompted calls for stricter oversight of private medical practices and more robust mechanisms for patients to report suspected malpractice.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Mona Ghosh case is a tragic reminder of the sacred trust that must exist between doctors and their patients. When that trust is violated, the consequences can be devastating and lifelong. Ghosh’s actions not only defrauded public health systems but also robbed women of their health, dignity, and future possibilities.
This case underscores the urgent need for stronger regulatory frameworks, better patient education, and a healthcare culture rooted in empathy and accountability. As we reflect on this disturbing episode, we must ask: What more can be done to protect vulnerable patients and ensure that medical practitioners always put care before profit?
