NEW YORK – The US Department of Justice said Thursday that a federal grand jury in New Jersey has indicted a Queens, New York, physician in a $20.7 million medical fraud scheme.
According to the government, Alexander Baldonado received cash kickbacks from a laboratory representative and others in exchange for approving orders for lab tests billed to Medicare.
Baldonado allegedly participated in COVID-19 testing events where he authorized COVID-19 tests. He also authorized medically unnecessary cancer genetics tests that were not used in patient treatment and for which patients rarely received results. Additionally, the government alleges he billed Medicare for patient office visits that never took place.
Baldonado also allegedly solicited and received cash kickbacks and bribes from the owner of a durable medical supply company in exchange for ordering orthotic braces that were medically unnecessary and ineligible for reimbursement.
Baldonado is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, six counts of healthcare fraud, two counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay and receive healthcare kickbacks, and one count of soliciting healthcare kickbacks. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, healthcare fraud, and soliciting healthcare kickbacks, and a maximum penalty of five years in prison on each count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay and receive healthcare kickbacks.