MCALLEN, TEXAS (BNO NEWS) – An Eidenburg, Texas couple was charged for health care fraud, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Manuel Anthony Puig, 44, a licensed physician’s assistant, and his wife Romelia Sanchez Puig, 41, a certified nursing assistant, both of Edinburg, Texas, billed Medicaid for medical services illegally provided by Mr. Puig, and for medical services that were never rendered. The couple sent more than 6,000 claims for payment to Medicaid charging in excess of $268,000 for these illegal/ineligible services.

Mr. Puig, being a physician’s assistant, is required to have a licensed physician supervising his work, entrusting responsibilities to him, but he filed a written notice with the Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners falsely claiming to be supervised by a licensed physician in Mission, Texas. He allegedly provided medical services at La Hacienda Clinic.

Mr. and Mrs. Puig are facing up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 for health care fraud and up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for mail fraud.