FBI: Doctor defrauded health care programs

McALLEN — A cardiologist may lose more than $1 million that FBI agents believe he earned through defrauding the Medicaid and Medicare programs.

Authorities allege Dr. Fabian Aurignac conducted unnecessary medical procedures and billed the government-funded health care programs for patient sessions at which he was not present.

They also accuse him of hiring South American doctors who were not licensed to practice in the United States and providing them with pre-signed prescriptions while he took a vacation to Italy in 2003.

The Texas Medical Board suspended Aurignac in October after the allegations against him came to light. But he then set up shop in an RV and peddled medical services at flea markets and adult daycares, offering gift certificates to people agreeing to be treated, according to court documents.

At least one patient treated there told authorities Aurignac never examined him but submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid.

Aurignac ran the Cardiology Care Center on the 700 block of North Ware Road and previously held practicing privileges at facilities such as McAllen Medical Center, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance and Mission Regional Medical Center.

Agents seized the $1,157,000 from his personal account in December. On Friday they asked U.S. District Judge Randy Crane to begin civil forfeiture proceedings against the money.

So far, no federal criminal charges have been filed against the doctor. However, he faces unrelated state charges of resisting arrest and misdemeanor assault.

Medicare is a federally funded program offering health care assistance for individuals who are 65 and older, and for the disabled. Medicaid is a federal-state program that helps pay for health care for the needy, aged, blind and disabled, and for low-income families with children.