New York City physician convicted in $24M fraud scheme

A federal jury found a New York City physician guilty of causing the submission of more than $24 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for unnecessary laboratory tests and orthotic braces.   

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Alexander Baldonado, MD, 69, received tens of thousands of dollars in illegal kickbacks and bribes in exchange for ordering laboratory tests that were billed to Medicare by two related laboratories, according to a Feb. 11 Justice Department news release. 

Dr. Baldonado authorized hundreds of cancer genetic tests for Medicare beneficiaries who attended COVID-19 testing events at assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, and a retirement community in 2020, according to the release. He was not treating any of the patients who attended these events. He also billed Medicare for lengthy office visits that he never provided.

He additionally received kickbacks and bribes from the owner of a durable medical equipment supply company in exchange for ordering unnecessary orthotic braces.

Of the $24 million in fraudulent claims submitted, Medicare paid out more than $2.1 million, according to the release. 

Dr. Baldonado was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud; six counts of healthcare fraud; one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States by paying, offering, receiving, and soliciting healthcare kickbacks; one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States by receiving and soliciting healthcare kickbacks; and one count of solicitation of healthcare kickbacks. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 26.

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