South Texas physician assistant arrested for Medicaid fraud

A 49-year-old man from Brownsville, Fernando Mendez, was charged for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicaid by using a suspended medical license, a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice Southern District of Texas said. Mendez was arrested last weekend. He worked at CCI Therapy Counseling Centers International in Brownsville, the release said.

The Texas Medical Board allegedly ordered the “immediate suspension” of Mendez’s physician assistant license in July 2021 as he was a “continuing threat to public welfare,” the release said. Mendez was prohibited from practicing medicine, however, he allegedly continued to see and treat patients at mental health clinics in Brownsville, Harlingen and Pharr. He then billed Medicaid for his services, despite the fact he was suspended from practicing medicine, the release said.

Mendez also allegedly created false medical records under the identities of other physicians traveling outside of the U.S. and submitted false statements to the Texas Medical Board, the release said.

Source: South Texas physician assistant arrested for Medicaid fraud / Shelton Herald

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