US authorities are searching for a licensed Filipino physical therapist accused of participating in an alleged Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme worth $18.4 million, or about ₱1.1 billion.
The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General identified the fugitive as Conrado Lopez Jr., the alleged owner of Total Rehab in Brooklyn, New York.
According to the HHS Office of Inspector General, Lopez admitted signing backdated medical records and participating in the alleged fraud scheme.
Investigators said Total Rehab submitted reimbursement claims for services that were allegedly not provided, were not medically necessary, lacked proper supervision, or were performed by unlicensed individuals.
Authorities also said Lopez admitted signing backdated medical records, or “superbills,” for dates when he was outside the United States on vacation, despite knowing the records were inaccurate.
The HHS Office of Inspector General said the alleged fraudulent reimbursement claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid totaled about $18.4 million between March 2009 and November 2011.
Of that amount, Lopez was identified as the rendering provider on claims worth about $2.8 million, or roughly ₱172 million.
US authorities said Lopez may be in Manila or the United Arab Emirates and have released his photograph while appealing to the public for information that could lead to his arrest.
