A Slidell doctor has admitted to participating in a scheme to defraud Medicare by submitting claims for unnecessary cancer genetic tests. Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Robert Tassin, M.D., aged 64, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud.
Court documents reveal that between February and September of 2019, Tassin signed orders for CGx tests through telemedicine companies without having seen or treated the patients. These actions led to over $6.6 million in fraudulent claims being submitted to Medicare, with more than $2 million reimbursed by the agency.
Tassin received a fee for each order he processed and falsely certified the necessity of these tests in medical records. Under his plea agreement, he will forfeit $106,757 and pay restitution exceeding $2 million.
Judge Barry W. Ashe has scheduled sentencing for August 28, 2025. Tassin could face up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine potentially reaching $250,000 or twice the financial impact on Medicare.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson acknowledged 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.
