Alabama physician charged in $6M fraud scheme

An Alabama physician has been charged and agreed to plead guilty to his role in a $6 million telemedicine fraud scheme.

What happened?

Between December 2018 and March 2021, Tommie Robinson, MD, 43, worked with telemedicine companies to sign medical documentation, including physicians’ orders, for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment and genetic testing, according to an Aug. 18 Justice Department news release.
The Justice Department said the orders he signed were pre-populated based on telemarketing calls made to Medicare beneficiaries. Dr. Robinson had no contact with the patients and no established medical relationship with them.
Dr. Robinson’s participation in the scheme resulted in more than $6 million in fraudulent claims being submitted to Medicare for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment and genetic testing.

What’s next?

Dr. Robinson has agreed to plead guilty to one count of healthcare fraud. A plea hearing date has not yet been set.
He faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greater.