Lufkin Doctor Guilty of Fraud

BEAUMONT � A Lufkin physician has pleaded guilty to charges of health care fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Dr. Alexander Orlov, D.O., 46, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid Monday in Beaumont before U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

According to prosecutors, 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 and charged with conspiracy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. Orlov faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set. The case against Rehman is pending.