Business ProfileforVictor D Contreras, MD
Additional business information
On July 25, 2024 the US Attorney's Office, Central District of California announced Dr. Victor Contreras of Santa Paula who worked for two Pasadena hospices pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud for defrauding Medicare out of more than $3 million by billing the public health insurance program for medically unnecessary hospice services.
According to his plea agreement, from July 2016 to February 2019, Contreras and co-defendant Juanita Antenor, 61, formerly of Pasadena, schemed to defraud Medicare by submitting nearly $4 million in false and fraudulent claims for hospice services submitted by two hospice companies: Arcadia Hospice Provider Inc., and Saint Mariam Hospice Inc. Antenor controlled both companies.
Medicare only covers hospice services for patients who are terminally ill, meaning that they have a life expectancy of six months or less if their illness ran its normal course.
Contreras falsely stated on claims forms that patients had terminal illnesses to make them eligible for hospice services covered by Medicare, typically adopting diagnoses provided to him by hospice employees whether or not they were true. Contreras did so even though he was not the patients’ primary care physician and had not spoken to those primary care physicians about the patients’ conditions. Medicare paid on the claims supported by Contreras’ false evaluations and certifications and recertifications of patients.
In total, approximately $3,917,946 in fraudulently claims were submitted to Medicare, of which a total of approximately $3,289,889 was paid.
According to Medical Board of California records, Contreras is a licensed physician in California, but has been on probation with the Board since 2015 and is subject to limitations on his practice.
United States District Judge André Birotte Jr. scheduled an October 25 sentencing hearing, at which time Contreras will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
Antenor remains at large. Co-defendant Callie Black, 65, of Lancaster, who allegedly recruited patients for the hospice companies in exchange for illegal kickbacks, has pleaded not guilty and is currently scheduled to go on trial on October 15.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the California Department of Justice investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kristen A. Williams of the Major Frauds Section and Aylin Kuzucan of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.
Ciaran McEvoy
Public Information Officer
[email protected]
(213) 894-4465
At-a-glance
Related Categories
Business Details
- Location of This Business
- 126 N 10th St, Santa Paula, CA 93060
- BBB File Opened:
- 7/25/2024
- Years in Business:
- 40
- Business Started:
- 7/2/1984
- Business Started Locally:
- 7/2/1984
- Licensing Information:
- This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met.BBB records show a license number of G 52723 for this business, issued by Medical Board of California. The expiration date of this license is 8/31/2025.
These agencies may include:
Medical Board of California
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200
Sacramento CA 95815
Fax: (916) 2632387
- As of July 25, 2024 according to the Medical Board of California, although Dr. Contreras's license is "renewed and current" it is also under probation and there are limits on the practice.
- Type of Entity:
- Sole Proprietorship
- Business Management
- Victor Contreras, MD, Family Practitioner
- Contact Information
Principal
- Victor Contreras, MD, Family Practitioner
Customer Contact
- Victor Contreras, MD, Family Practitioner
- Additional Contact Information
Fax Numbers
- (805) 525-7211Primary Fax
- (805) 525-7211
Customer Complaints
0 Customer Complaints
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