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Federal prosecutors allege that Dr. Perry Frankel, age 64, of Roslyn, in Nassau County, submitted false billing claims to Medicare and Medicaid for office visits that were never performed for patients who received COVID-19 tests.
The tests were done at mobile sites across Long Island through Frankel’s cardiology clinic, Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics PLLC, located in Great Neck.
Frankel was not even in New York when some of the alleged office visits occurred, prosecutors said.
“As alleged, exploiting a public health crisis by using patients who received COVID-19 tests at mobile testing sites to fraudulently bill Medicare and Medicaid for fictitious office visits is reprehensible,” said Breon Peace, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. “This Office and our law enforcement partners will vigorously prosecute those who take advantage of the pandemic to steal from taxpayer-funded programs."
Frankel was taken into federal custody Wednesday, April 20 in Central Islip and charged with three counts of health care fraud. He was expected to be arraigned before US District Judge Joanna Seybert.
Frankel's lead attorney and former Suffolk County DA, Timothy Sini, issued the following statement in response to the indictment:
"Dr. Frankel is a respected cardiologist in the Long Island region who has saved lives by providing vital mobile medical screenings to law enforcement, school districts and many communities across Long Island and the five boroughs.
"When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Dr. Frankel stepped up and brought much needed COVID-19 testing to the community. He has been recognized for his service by many, including the White House.
"The Government, as part of a larger initiative, is targeting healthcare providers who supposedly took advantage of the pandemic to benefit themselves financially.
"Nothing could be further from the truth here – Dr. Frankel provided a much needed service during a public health crisis and an extremely challenging time.
"It is unfortunate that the government’s claims seek to undermine the positive nature of Dr. Frankel’s work. We look forward to pursuing justice for Dr. Frankel and clearing his name in the medical community."
The charges against Frankel are part of a broader, coordinated effort seeking to uncover health care fraud across nine federal districts being led by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, according to the Department of Justice.
So far, 21 people have been charged for their alleged participation in fraud schemes relating to COVID-19 involving more than $149 million in false and fraudulent claims.
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