Robert Tassin, M.D., a 64-year-old physician from Slidell, Louisiana, has been charged with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud in connection with a scheme to bill Medicare for unnecessary cancer genetic tests.
According to federal prosecutors, Tassin worked as an independent contractor for several telemedicine companies between February and September 2019. During that period, he allegedly signed orders for cancer genetic tests for Medicare beneficiaries he never treated, spoke to, or even consulted. These fraudulent orders resulted in over $6.6 million in false Medicare claims, with more than $2 million in reimbursements paid out by the government.
To conceal the fraud, Tassin reportedly made false statements in patient records, certifying that the tests were medically necessary. He allegedly received a $30 fee per order, earning a total of $106,757.
If convicted, Tassin faces up to ten years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Moses and Trial Attorney Kelly Walters, with support from the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
The charges come as part of ongoing efforts to crack down on healthcare fraud schemes across the nation.
