A sentencing hearing was delayed Thursday until June 12 for a Los Angeles physician who pleaded guilty to making false home health certifications and related fraudulent Medicare billings which caused a loss to the health insurance program of at least $1.44 million.
Lilit Gagikovna Baltaian, 61, pleaded guilty in November 2024 in downtown Los Angeles to one count of health care fraud, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Prosecutors said Baltaian operated two medical clinics in Tujunga and Reseda. From about January 2012 to July 2018, she falsely certified patients to receive home health care from at least four area home health agencies, papers filed in Los Angeles federal court show.
Baltaian's false certifications were used by the home health agencies to fraudulently bill Medicare for the unnecessary home health care. Baltaian received a cash benefit related to these referrals and also submitted claims to Medicare for signing the fraudulent certifications and for patient visits and injections that were not needed and/or provided, the DOJ said.
Her false certifications were used to submit fraudulent claims, resulting in a loss to Medicare of at least $1.44 million, according to the DOJ.
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