Prosecutors say an unlicensed woman who went by "Doctor Fran" played physician at an Astoria clinic, examined patients in a white coat, and walked away with more than $105,000 in Medicaid-funded billings that were put under someone else’s name.
According to the state’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the woman regularly saw patients at Steinway Hope Medical in Astoria, sometimes using a penlight and stethoscope, while Medicaid claims were allegedly pushed through using another provider’s identity. Officials announced arrests in the case on Thursday.
In a press release from the Office of the Attorney General, officials identified the defendants as 53-year-old Francia Aguila of Farmington and 59-year-old Gifty Appiah of Staten Island. Investigators say Aguila used Appiah’s identity and professional credentials to diagnose, treat, and prescribe for patients at Steinway Hope Medical. The attorney general’s office alleges the arrangement generated $105,018.20 in Medicaid-funded claims between March 2021 and November 2024.
According to the complaint, Appiah was allegedly paid about $10,000 per month to serve as the enrolled provider on the books, even though she rarely showed up at the Astoria clinic. Prosecutors say both defendants face criminal penalties if they are convicted.
"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 the release from the Office of the Attorney General. She added that her office will "continue to root out fraud in our state's Medicaid program" as investigators move the case forward in court.
How Investigators Tracked The Astoria Clinic
Prosecutors say Aguila operated inside Steinway Hope Medical while Appiah stayed listed as the authorized clinician on Medicaid enrollment records. That setup allegedly allowed claims to be sent under Appiah’s name even when she was not present.
The MetroPlus provider directory lists Steinway Hope Medical at 3272 Steinway St, Suite 302, in Astoria and identifies Appiah as a nurse practitioner tied to that location. Investigators say that directory entry helped them connect the clinic address to Medicaid billing records and then follow the money to Medicaid-funded managed care plans.
Charges On The Table And What Comes Next
The complaint accuses Aguila and Steinway Hope Medical of unauthorized practice of a profession and falsifying business records. Appiah, prosecutors say, faces charges related to offering false instruments for filing, as described in the national case summary published by the Department of Justice.
According to prosecutors, Steinway Hope Medical submitted claims to multiple Medicaid managed care organizations, including Fidelis Care, Healthfirst, and MetroPlus. The matter is being handled by New York’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Officials stress that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court.
What Patients Of Steinway Hope Medical Can Do
Patients who received care at Steinway Hope Medical and are worried about questionable billing or medical records are urged to pull their Explanation of Benefits statements and contact their health plan if something looks off.
New Yorkers can also report suspected Medicaid provider fraud to the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General or use the city’s reporting tools listed by the NYC Human Resources Administration.
Investigators say the probe is still active and that more actions could follow as they review additional records and interview witnesses. Officials emphasize that all of the allegations remain just that at this stage, and the defendants are entitled to full due process.
