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A Southern California doctor accused of defrauding Medicare of millions of dollars by billing for unnecessary hospice services has been sentenced to 24 months in prison, federal prosecutors announced.
Dr. Victor Contreras, 69, of Santa Paula, is charged with falsifying medical claims for hospice care from July 2016 to February 2019, during which time he paid $4 million to federal insurance programs, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Charged nearby.
He pleaded guilty on July 24 to one count of health care fraud, and in addition to his prison sentence, he must pay nearly $3.3 million in restitution.
Federal prosecutors said Contreras and 62-year-old Juanita Antenor made fraudulent claims through two hospice companies: Arcadia Hospice Providers and St. Mariam Hospice.
Authorities said Mr. Antenor, who controlled both companies, paid illegal kickbacks to marketers in exchange for referring patients to the companies.
These alleged marketers include Carrie Black, 66, of Lancaster, who was charged with 10 federal health fraud charges and illegal kickback payments for medical referrals in 2022. was indicted for. Black has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial in March.
Prosecutors allege that Contreras falsely listed a terminal illness on the patient’s bill to qualify him for hospice services through Medicare. Medicare paid approximately $3.2 million of the $3.9 million in false claims submitted by Contreras, even though he was not the patient’s doctor.
Since 2015, Contreras has been on probation from the California Medical Board, which has placed restrictions on his practice.
Antenor remains at large. Authorities have previously said they believe she may be in the Philippines.
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