Los Angeles, California — Alexander Baldonado, a Fil-Am doctor from Queens, New York, has been convicted of health care fraud. According to court documents, the 69-year-old physician submitted over $24 million in fraudulent Medicare claims. The physician received kickbacks and bribes for ordering unnecessary lab tests and orthotic braces.
Baldonado authorized numerous cancer genetic tests for Medicare beneficiaries at 2020 COVID-19 testing events at assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, and a retirement community. A Department of Justice press release stated that Baldonado did not treat, speak to, or examine many of these patients before ordering the tests.
Patients also testified that they never met the doctor despite Medicare being billed for office visits, and some never received test results. Evidence included an undercover video showing Baldonado accepting cash for signed orthotic brace prescriptions.
The unnecessary tests and braces resulted in over $24 million in Medicare billings, with over $2.1 million paid to involved labs and medical equipment suppliers. Baldonado was found guilty on multiple counts, including healthcare fraud conspiracy, healthcare fraud, and kickback-related charges. Sentencing is scheduled for June 26.
