A Slidell doctor has been charged with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, according to an announcement by Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson. Dr. Robert Tassin, aged 64, was charged on March 10, 2025, in connection with a scheme involving Medicare billing for unnecessary cancer genetic tests.
The bill of information alleges that Dr. Tassin worked as an independent contractor for several telemedicine companies from February through September 2019. During this period, he allegedly signed doctors' orders for cancer genetic tests for Medicare beneficiaries whom he had never seen or treated. These actions reportedly led to over $6.6 million in false claims submitted to Medicare, with more than $2 million reimbursed by the program.
To support and continue the fraudulent activity, Dr. Tassin is accused of making false statements in medical records, falsely certifying the necessity of the tests for patient treatment. It is alleged that he received a fee per doctor's order, typically $30, amounting to a total of $106,757.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson emphasized that the charge is merely an accusation and that guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt.
If found guilty, Dr. Tassin could face up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine up to $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
Simpson commended the efforts of the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General in this case. The prosecution is being handled by Trial Attorney Kelly Walters from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Moses from the Eastern District of Louisiana.
