Sean Alterman admitted running laboratories that billed roughly $52 million to Medicare for medically unnecessary genetic tests obtained through deceptive telemarketing, doctor‑chasing faxes and illicit kickbacks; Medicare paid about $36 million. As part of his plea he agreed to forfeit assets including his estate and a luxury car and faces up to 15 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for April.

The Department of Justice reported that Florida laboratory owner Sean Alterman pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from a scheme that caused approximately $52 million in billing to Medicare for medically unnecessary genetic tests. Investigators allege Alterman’s operations used aggressive telemarketing campaigns, so‑called doctor‑chasing fax tactics to secure ordering providers, and illicit kickbacks to induce referrals and funnel patients into testing that lacked medical necessity. Medicare paid roughly $36 million on claims submitted by the laboratories tied to the scheme. As part of his plea agreement, Alterman consented to the forfeiture of substantial assets, including real property associated with his estate and a luxury vehicle, reflecting efforts to recover illicit proceeds. He faces a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years and is scheduled to be sentenced in April. Prosecutors and investigators emphasized the harm to federal healthcare programs and patients, while noting ongoing civil and criminal enforcement actions targeting networks that monetize testing through deceptive marketing and improper financial incentives.