Former Fox Chapel cardiologist convicted of health care fraud surrenders after skipping sentencing

A former Fox Chapel cardiologist who became the subject of an arrest warrant after missing his sentencing hearing on Wednesday turned himself in a day later.

Dr. Samirkumar J. Shah turned himself in to the federal courthouse on Grant Street on Thursday morning, officials said.

His sentencing hearing has been rescheduled for Aug. 5.

Shah was convicted two years ago of health care fraud following an eight-day jury trial.

However, on Wednesday, just two hours before his scheduled sentencing, Shah filed a motion seeking a continuance.

He claimed in the court filing that he had an adverse reaction to the Pfizer covid-19 vaccination, and that his doctor told him he needed “strict bedrest for at least six weeks.”

U.S. District Judge David S. Cercone denied the request, writing that his refusal was based on “the protracted history of this case and defendant Dr. Shah’s previous actions and behaviors regarding the same.”

When Shah failed to appear for his hearing later that day, Cercone issued an arrest warrant.

Shah was found guilty of submitting fraudulent insurance claims from 2008 to 2013 for a treatment dubbed the “fountain of youth.”

The treatment, External Counter Pulsation, is typically used to treat disabling angina — chest pain caused by the heart muscle not getting enough oxygen-rich blood.

It involves the use of a specialized bed with pressure cuffs used on a patient’s lower extremities to increase blood flow.

Shah claimed the treatments could make patients younger and smarter and treat a number of conditions, including blood pressure, migraines and obesity.

However, prosecutors said he fabricated patient files, double billed insurers and submitted more than $13 million in fraudulent claims — receiving more than $3.5 million in reimbursement.

The recommended sentencing guideline range Shah faces is 6-1/2 to nine years in prison. Restitution is $1.2 million.