A Porter Ranch physician was indicted Thursday on charges related to an alleged $6 million Medicare fraud scheme, according to the Justice Department.Lilit Gagikovna Baltaian, 58, was arrested Thursday on charges she falsified home health certifications and bills to Medicare.
Baltaian operated medical clinics in Tujunga and Reseda, and from January 2012 to July 2018, the Justice Department claimed she falsely certified patients to receive home health care from at least four agencies in the area, which were then billed to Medicare.
Baltaian received cash benefits related to the home health referrals and submitted claims to Medicare for visits and treatments that were not needed or provided, the department alleged.The department claimed that four home health agencies used the false certifications to submit false claims to Medicare too, resulting in upwards of $6 million paid on such claims.The Valley physician is charged with four counts of health care fraud and faces a maximum of 40 years in prison if convicted, the department added in its statement.The FBI and Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General are investigating the case as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.The Strike Force has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for nearly $19 billion, the department said.
Doctor Charged With Medicare Fraud
