LA Doctor Denies Knowledge of Medicare Fraud Using His Provider Number
In Los Angeles, a physician in his 80s is at the center of a Medicare fraud investigation. Federal records show more than $600 million in claims linked to his provider number, with nearly $210 million in 2024 alone, mostly concentrated in Los Angeles County.
Dr. Gilbert Faustina, who resides in Las Vegas, denies any involvement in the fraudulent billing. He told reporters he has never billed Medicare for any of the patients associated with his provider number and receives only about $3,000 a month from a home healthcare agency.
Investigators have linked Faustina to at least 18 hospice providers and thousands of claims. Federal records indicate 76,000 claims filed on behalf of patients, with many providers operating out of addresses with little or no medical activity. Several addresses appeared to be run-down or empty, with no staff or patients present.
Experts say this case reflects a broader pattern of Medicare fraud in Los Angeles, where more than 1,900 hospice providers operate—more than 36 states combined. Lawmakers and federal officials have raised concerns about sham companies, ghost patients, and corrupt providers manipulating the system to avoid scrutiny.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney of New York requested an investigation into providers linked to Faustina’s provider number. She highlighted that agencies associated with him billed nearly $600 million from 2021 to 2024, with a sharp increase in recent years and the majority of payments concentrated in Los Angeles County. Faustina maintains he is not associated with any hospice and denies knowledge of the billing activities.
Source: Original Article
