Washington (Rajeev Sharma): US authorities have declared an Indian-origin man a fugitive after accusing him of orchestrating a scheme that allegedly generated about USD 93 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for genetic testing.
The US Department of Health and Human Services said Khadeer Khan Mohammed allegedly used a company called American Premier to file, or arrange for others to file, claims for genetic laboratory tests that did not qualify for Medicare reimbursement.
Authorities said the scheme resulted in Medicare paying out at least USD 65 million on the claims. During one 10-day period in 2023, suspected fraudulent claims linked to the operation led to payments of around USD 13 million, according to the department’s Office of Inspector General.
Investigators allege that Mohammed operated the scheme between August 2023 and October 2024 in the Northern District of Texas and other locations.
According to the allegations, personal identifying information belonging to physicians was used without their knowledge or permission to submit claims for genetic tests. The doctors, authorities said, had no treatment relationship with the Medicare beneficiaries named in those claims.
The tests allegedly had not been ordered by the physicians and were not used as part of the patients’ medical care, the Department of Health and Human Services said.
US officials believe Mohammed is currently in Hyderabad, India, and have listed him as a fugitive.
The case centres on alleged abuse of Medicare, the US government’s federal health insurance programme for older Americans and certain other eligible beneficiaries. Authorities said the investigation uncovered a large volume of claims for genetic testing that they believe were improperly submitted for reimbursement.
The allegations against Mohammed remain accusations unless and until proven in court. The US authorities’ fugitive designation reflects their belief that he is outside the United States while facing the case.
