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A prominent Maryland doctor who promoted early access to COVID-19 testing during the coronavirus pandemic, and was once awarded a citation for his work by then-Gov. Larry Hogan, was convicted in federal court of health care fraud.

Dr. Ron Elfenbein, 49, of Arnold was found guilty of submitting up to $15 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and other insurers for COVID tests at sites he operated, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Maryland announced this weekend. The doctor, one of several charged with similar fraud, is the first convicted at trial by the Justice Department for COVID testing-related fraud, the office said.

The doctor owns Gambrills-based Drs ERgent Care, which operates as First Call Medical Center and Chesapeake ERgent Care in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties. He also operated an urgent care center that tested people at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Martin S. Himeles Jr., Elfenbein’s attorney, said the doctor was “very disappointed” in the trial result.

“He maintains his innocence,” Himeles said. “We are exploring our options including appellate options and intend to pursue them vigorously.”

Elfenbein faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for each of the five counts of health care fraud for which he was convicted....

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