Alabama Doc Robinson Fleeced Medicare for $6 Million

BOSTON – A brazen scheme to bilk Medicare out of $6 million has landed an Alabama doctor in hot water. Tommie Robinson, 43, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of health care fraud, admitting his role in a fraudulent operation that pushed unnecessary medical equipment and genetic tests onto vulnerable beneficiaries.

According to federal prosecutors, between December 2018 and March 2021, Robinson knowingly signed off on doctors’ orders for durable medical equipment (DME) and genetic testing he never authorized and for patients he never even met. These orders weren’t based on actual medical need, but on pre-populated forms generated by aggressive telemarketing campaigns targeting Medicare recipients. The feds allege Robinson was a key cog in a wheel greased with kickbacks.

The scheme was simple, but effective. Telemarketers would reach out to Medicare beneficiaries, pitching unnecessary tests and equipment. When a beneficiary agreed, a bogus order would be generated and sent to Robinson, who, without any medical oversight or patient contact, would simply sign it. These signed orders then flowed to DME suppliers and labs, who happily submitted claims to Medicare totaling over $6 million – money that should have gone to legitimate healthcare.

“This wasn’t about providing care,” stated a source close to the investigation. “This was about lining Robinson’s pockets with federal funds, exploiting the Medicare system and endangering beneficiaries with unnecessary procedures.” The genetic testing, specifically, focused on cancer risk assessments, preying on the fears of vulnerable individuals. Investigators are now working to identify other individuals involved in the scheme, including those responsible for the telemarketing operation.

If convicted, Tommie Robinson faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a maximum of three years of supervised release, and a hefty fine – the greater of $250,000 or twice the gross profit derived from the fraudulent activity. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Locker of the Health Care Fraud Unit, with support from the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Units.

The announcement of the charges was jointly made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, along with representatives from the Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Defense Criminal Investigation Service. It’s a stark reminder that those who exploit the healthcare system for personal gain will be held accountable. Remember, the details in the charging documents represent allegations, and Tommie Robinson is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.