A Long Island resident has been charged with impersonating a doctor and participating in a fraudulent scheme that allegedly defrauded Medicaid of over $100,000. Francia Aguila, 53, is accused of seeing patients and issuing prescriptions at Steinway Hope Medical in Astoria, Queens, without a license to practice medicine.
Prosecutors stated that Aguila, who reportedly referred to herself as "Doctor Fran" and wore a white coat, used the identity and credentials of Gifty Appiah, 59, a licensed nurse practitioner. Appiah is accused of rarely appearing at the clinic but allegedly received $10,000 monthly as part of the operation.
The scheme, which lasted more than three years, involved submitting fraudulent claims to Medicaid's Managed Care Organizations. The total amount billed for services from March 2021 to November 2024 was $105,018, according to the New York Attorney General's office.
"Practicing medicine without a license risks the lives of New Yorkers and undermines the integrity of our health care system," Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. "My office will continue to root out fraud in our state’s Medicaid program and protect New Yorkers by bringing unlicensed practitioners to justice."
Aguila faces charges including unauthorized practice of a profession, falsifying business records, and unauthorized use of a professional title. Appiah is charged with offering a false instrument for filing. Both women could face up to four years in prison if convicted of the most serious charges.
Steinway Hope Medical was also charged with unauthorized practice of a profession and falsifying business records. An email seeking comment from the clinic was not immediately returned.