An Alabama physician has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with a $6 million telemedicine fraud scheme. The case involves the ordering of medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME) and genetic testing, which were primarily used to detect mutations associated with an increased risk of certain cancers.
Tommie Robinson, 43, is set to plead guilty to one count of health care fraud. A date for the plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the court.
According to charging documents, from December 2018 through March 2021, Robinson collaborated with telemedicine companies by signing medical documentation for DME and genetic tests. These documents included doctors’ orders that were pre-filled based on information gathered during telemarketing calls to Medicare beneficiaries. Authorities allege that Robinson had no direct contact or established medical relationship with these patients. The DME suppliers and laboratories then submitted claims to Medicare using these signed orders. As a result, more than $6 million in claims were submitted for services deemed medically unnecessary and supported by false documentation as well as improper kickbacks.
If convicted, Robinson faces up to 10 years in prison, supervised release for up to three years, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss—whichever is greater. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Robert Coviello, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Carol S. Hamilton, Regional Director, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor; and Patrick Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge, Defense Criminal Investigation Service, North East Field Office made the announcement today.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Locker from the Health Care Fraud Unit along with Alexandra Brazier and Lindsey Ross from the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Units are prosecuting the case.
The allegations outlined in the charging documents have not been proven in court. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
