Medical doctor, Alexander Baldonado, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, six counts of health care fraud, two counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay and receive health care kickbacks, and one count of soliciting health care kickbacks. Baldonado’s charges stem from his alleged role in a scheme that involved submitting over $20.7 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for laboratory tests.
According to the DOJ, Baldonado engaged in several schemes to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. Baldonado allegedly approved laboratory tests billed to Medicare in exchange for cash kickbacks from a laboratory representative. Baldonado participated in COVID-19 testing events and, in addition to authorizing COVID-19 tests, he authorized cancer genetic testing. The allegedly superfluous cancer genetic tests were neither used nor requested by patients, and the results of the unnecessary tests were never given to the patients. Baldonado also allegedly solicited and received kickbacks and bribes in exchange for ordering medically unnecessary orthotic braces from a durable medical equipment company. It is further alleged that Baldonado billed Medicare for excessive office visits that were never provided.
Baldonado now faces decades in prison if found guilty as charged. He can be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison for each charge of health care fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and soliciting health care kickbacks. Each charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay and receive health care kickbacks holds a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The attorneys at Chilivis Grubman represent clients of all types and sizes in connection to health care fraud investigations and litigation. If you need assistance with such a matter, please contact us today.