Texas Doctor Gets 10 Years in Prison for Diagnosing Healthy People with Chronic Conditions

On May 30th, 2025, a Texas rheumatologist was handed a 10-year prison sentence for orchestrating a deceitful healthcare fraud scam. The scheme involved falsely diagnosing hundreds of healthy individuals with chronic diseases that necessitated costly and risky treatments.

Dr. Jorge Zamora-Quezada of Mission, Texas, admitted guilt to various charges, including fraud conspiracy, multiple counts of healthcare fraud, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. As a result, he was given a 10-year jail term and three years of supervised release. Over the years, the 68-year-old rheumatologist had been misdiagnosing patients to bill for unnecessary tests and treatments, accumulating over $118 million in false claims and defrauding insurers of more than $28 million.

Prosecutors revealed that Zamora-Quezada used the illicit proceeds to support an extravagant lifestyle, owning assets such as 13 real estate properties, a private jet, and a Maserati GranTurismo. His actions were condemned by Matthew R. Galeotti, the Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, who highlighted the doctor’s exploitation of patients and staff alike.

The victims, who were subjected to harmful medications and treatments, suffered various severe side effects like strokes, jawbone necrosis, and liver damage. Some shared their experiences of abandoning life plans due to the debilitating effects of the treatments. The physician’s unethical practices extended to mistreating and blackmailing staff, creating a toxic work environment.

Dr. Zamora-Quezada’s sentencing brought closure to numerous victims and their families, assuring them that justice had been served. Despite the lasting health consequences suffered by some, they can take solace in knowing that the fraudulent rheumatologist has been held accountable. In addition to his prison term, Zamora-Quezada was ordered to repay $28,245,454, which includes the forfeiture of his valuable assets.