North Texas doctor accused of bilking Medicare

The federal government has indicted a North Texas doctor, accusing him of bilking Medicare out of more than $5 million.

Hector Molina has been the focus of numerous FOX 4 investigative reports. FOX 4 started reporting on Dr. Molina back in 2011, after two women were left hospitalized with serious complications following plastic surgery.

But it was his Medicare billing that caught the attention of federal investigators.

Dr. Molina left the federal courthouse in Dallas without saying a word about the indictments.

The feds have charged him with eight counts of healthcare fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.

The government says Molina worked with a woman named Blanca Mata, running a house call service.

The indictment says for three years starting back in 2012, Molina was billing Medicare for physician visits when it was actually Mata making the house calls, and she is not a doctor.

FOX 4 started reporting on Dr. Molina back in 2011, when two women ended up in Baylor's emergency room.

Irma Carabajal Lecroy went to Dr. Molina for a Brazilian butt lift. She ended up with serious complications and had to endure 27 corrective operations. She's now permanently disabled.

And Monica Moreno spent two months in the hospital after Molina operated on her. She paid him $8,000 for an arm lift and breast implants.

Both women filed complaints with the Texas Medical Board. The state struck a deal with Molina; he agreed to a temporary license restriction, a $1,000 fine and continuing education. 

Molina pleaded not guilty to the Medicare fraud. He was released from court pending his trial.

If convicted, Molina faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each count of healthcare fraud and a $250,000 fine.

The Texas Medical Board tells FOX 4 that it has the jurisdiction to investigate a physician who's been indicted, but in the meantime, there is nothing that prohibits him from practicing medicine.