Maryland's top cardiac-care hospital is in a soup after a federal investigation established an insurance fraud going on. Several patients had coronary stents implanted in their arteries that were actually not needed.

For reimbursing the procedure cost that can cost $10,000 or more from Medicare or private insurers it is necessary to have atleast 70 per cent of blockage. If a patient reports 50 per cent or less blockage then he can not get the amount reimbursed.

The stents were received by about 369 patients at Towson-based St. Joseph Medical Center. A majority of these patients were informed that their arteries were severely blocked.

A patient who received stents said, "You go to a doctor thinking he's going to take care of you and make you better, and now I have this thing that I don't need and that can't be removed.”

Dr Midei who is at the receiving end however denied being wrong. The doctor said, "I am confident that I have always acted in the best interest of my patients, and when all the facts are presented, I will continue providing quality medical care to my patients.”

Midei had to stop his practice after he lost his privileges at St. Joseph last summer.