Texas Podiatrist Arrested on Healthcare Fraud Charges

Franklin Beltre, DPM, of Houston was arrested on charges he defrauded Medicare and Medicaid at his clinic in San Juan, Texas, according to a report in The Monitor.

Dr. Beltre, who operates Valley Medical Foot Care, is accused of billing for services that were performed by his unlicensed assistant, Manuela Alana, and that were conducted in unsafe facilities that put patients at risk, according to the report.

According to the eight-count federal indictment, Dr. Beltre and Ms. Alana violated rules of Medicare and Medicaid, including the provision that the billing physician must be on site for all medical procedures. Dr. Beltre allegedly took trips and left pre-signed prescriptions for Ms. Alana, who does not hold a license, to fill out while he was away. She is also accused of performing procedures at adult day care centers in violation of program rules, which state procedures can only be performed at rest homes or nursing facilities, according to the report.

Ms. Alana, who also faces charges of Medicaid and Medicare fraud, is still at large. If convicted, both could face up to 10 years of prison for each charge.

Read The Monitor's report on the Texas podiatrist arrested for healthcare fraud.