Lufkin Physician Sentenced for Health Care Fraud Violations

BEAUMONT, TX—A Lufkin physician has been sentenced to federal prison for health care fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Dr. Alexander Orlov, D.O., 47, of Lufkin, pleaded guilty on Nov. 1, 2010, to conspiracy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid and was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Orlov was also ordered to pay $309,000 in restitution and a $30,000 fine.

According to information presented in court, from Nov. 2008 to Apr. 2010, Orlov, a physician and the owner of a Lufkin medical practice and urgent care clinic, and an employee, Haseeb Rehman, submitted claims for physicians’ services to Medicare and Medicaid for services provided by Rehman who was not a licensed medical professional. Orlov controlled and operated Lufkin Urgent Care, P.A. He employed Rehman to run Lufkin Urgent Care. Rehman treated patients, prescribed medication, performed minor surgical procedures, and operated within Lufkin Urgent Care as if he were a licensed medical professional. Claims were submitted to Medicare and Medicaid for Rehman’s services representing that the services were provided by a physician. As a result of these claims, Orlov unlawfully obtained more than $250,000 from Medicare and Medicaid. Orlov was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 3, 2010 and charged with conspiracy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid.

This case was investigated by the Texas Office of the Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (OAG-MFCU), the FBI, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld.