Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
An Alabama physician, Tommie Robinson, has been charged and intends to plead guilty in a telemedicine fraud case involving over $6 million in false Medicare claims. The charges allege that between December 2018 and March 2021, Robinson worked with telemedicine companies to sign off on orders for durable medical equipment (DME) and genetic testing that were not medically necessary.
According to the charging documents, these orders were pre-filled based on information gathered from telemarketing calls made to Medicare beneficiaries. It is alleged that Robinson did not have any direct contact or medical relationship with the patients involved. The DME suppliers and laboratories then submitted claims to Medicare using these signed orders.
"As a result of Robinson’s alleged participation in this scheme, over $6 million in claims were allegedly submitted to Medicare for DME and genetic testing that were medically unnecessary, based on false documentation, and tainted by kickbacks," according to federal prosecutors.
Robinson has agreed to plead guilty to one count of health care fraud. A plea hearing date has not yet been set by the court. If convicted, he 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. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge following U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Robert Coviello, Special Agent in Charge at Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge at Federal Bureau of Investigations Boston Division; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge at United States Postal Inspection Service Boston Division; Carol S. Hamilton, Regional Director at Employee Benefits Security Administration U.S. Department of Labor; and Patrick Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge at Defense Criminal Investigation Service North East Field Office.
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 details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
