Fake eye doctor pleads guilty to defrauding Medicaid, private health insurers

A Rochester man has pleaded guilty after he fraudulently billed Medicaid and health-insurance companies for more than $115,000 for optometrist and/or ophthalmic-dispensing services.

Shamil Tadros had never obtained a valid New York license for either profession, according to New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman who announced the guilty pleas Thursday.

The health insurers include firms that service clients in Central New York.

The scheme continued between Jan. 1, 2000, and May 31, 2013, according to Schneiderman.

Tadros admitted that he worked to defraud more than one person and obtained more than $115,000 from the state and several health insurers. He did so by posing as a licensed optometrist and/or ophthalmic dispenser and practicing at various optical shops around Monroe County, when he was never duly licensed, according to Schneiderman.

In doing so, Tadros obtained more than $15,000 from New York state and Excellus Medicaid Managed Care, more than $65,000 from Rochester–based Excellus; more than $15,000 from Schenectady–based MVP Health Care; more than $1,000 from Hartford, Conn.–based Aetna, Inc.; more than $3,000 from Mason, Ohio–based EyeMed Vision Care; and more than $10,000 from Minnetonka, Minn.–based UnitedHealthcare (NYSE: UNH).

Tadros faced charges of first-degree scheming to defraud and unauthorized practice for violating New York’s Education Law

Tadros will be sentenced in the criminal case on June 23 in Monroe County Court.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com