A physician from Cordele, Ga., pleaded guilty to his role in a $24 million Medicaid fraud scheme.
What happened?
- Marion Lee, MD, 62, was the co-owner and advisor of Tifton, Ga.-based Luminus Diagnostics, according to Nov. 20 Justice Department news release. He conspired with others to procure orders for genetic testing in exchange for kickbacks, including for orders acquired through purported telemedicine.
- To ensure the fraudulent claims would be paid, Dr. Lee and his co-conspirators designed the testing order forms to be “dummy proof” with prepopulated diagnosis codes and check-the-box panels. They frequently billed the tests through another lab in Louisiana where they thought the claims were more likely to be approved.
- Dr. Lee and his co-conspirators submitted more than $24 million in fraudulent claims, of which Medicare paid $4 million.
What next?
- Dr. Lee faces up to five years in prison, as well as a fine of up to $250,000. He must also pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. He also agreed to pay more than $4 million in restitution to Medicare.
- He is set to be sentenced March 18, 2026.
