An Indian-origin individual has been declared a fugitive in the United States after allegedly defrauding the Medicare healthcare scheme of $93 million by submitting false claims for genetic tests.
What He's Accused Of
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said Khadeer Khan Mohammed purportedly submitted, or directed others to submit, claims for laboratory genetic testing that was ineligible for reimbursement in the first place. Over the course of the alleged conspiracy, Mohammed used a company called American Premier to submit approximately $93 million in fraudulent Medicare claims, resulting in payments of at least $65 million actually being disbursed. The scale of activity was striking even in isolated windows, in just 10 days during 2023 alone, Medicare reportedly paid out around $13 million in suspected fraudulent claims.
How the Alleged Scheme Worked
According to the Department of Health, from around August 2023 to October 2024, in the Northern District of Texas and elsewhere, Mohammed allegedly used physicians' personal identifying information without their knowledge or consent to submit claims for genetic tests tied to beneficiaries the physicians had no actual treatment relationship with. "These tests were not ordered by the physicians and were not used in the care of the beneficiaries," the Department said, a description that points to identity misuse layered directly on top of the underlying billing fraud, physicians' credentials were reportedly used to lend legitimacy to claims those physicians never actually authorised.
Where He's Believed to Be Now
The Department of Health said Mohammed is believed to be in Hyderabad, India, placing him outside direct U.S. jurisdiction and raising questions about what extradition or international cooperation efforts might follow, given the scale of the alleged fraud and the fugitive status now attached to his case.
FAQs
Q1. How much did Mohammed allegedly defraud Medicare of?
Approximately $93 million in fraudulent claims submitted, with at least $65 million actually paid out by Medicare.
Q2. What type of claims were allegedly fraudulent?
Claims for laboratory genetic testing that was ineligible for reimbursement, submitted using physicians' identifying information without their knowledge or consent.
Q3. Over what period did the alleged fraud take place?
From around August 2023 to October 2024, in the Northern District of Texas and elsewhere.
Q4. Where is Mohammed believed to be currently?
Hyderabad, India, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.