Was an Indian National Sentenced to Prison for Medicare Fraud?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
An Indian national, Mohammed Asif, has been sentenced to two years in prison for orchestrating a massive Medicare fraud scheme. His actions involved billing Medicare for services that were never provided, leading to significant financial losses. This case highlights the ongoing issues of healthcare fraud and the risks it poses to taxpayers and the healthcare system.
Key Takeaways
- Mohammed Asif orchestrated a Medicare fraud scheme.
- He was sentenced to two years in prison.
- Ordered to pay $1,174,813 in restitution.
- Fraud involved billing for tests that were never conducted.
- Highlights ongoing issues with Medicare fraud.
Washington, Dec 3 (NationPress) An Indian national has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after confessing to running a multimillion-dollar Medicare fraud scheme via a diagnostic lab based in Washington, as announced by US Attorney Charles Neil Floyd.
Mohammed Asif, 35, was apprehended on April 10, 2025, at Chicago O’Hare International Airport while trying to board an international flight. He has been mandated to pay $1,174,813 in restitution and may face deportation upon completing his sentence.
Asif pleaded guilty on September 4 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud associated with American Labworks LLC, a now-closed diagnostic testing facility in Everett, Washington.
US District Judge James L. Robart, while delivering the sentence, referred to the fraud loss of $1,174,813 as “a significant amount of money,” emphasizing that it siphoned funds from the Medicare system intended to aid the elderly and the underprivileged. He remarked, “(The defendant) lacks moral character as a knowing participant in the fraud… He is someone the public needs protection from.”
Prosecutors indicated that Asif and his accomplices fraudulently billed Medicare for COVID-19 and other respiratory tests that were neither requested nor conducted. US Attorney Floyd stated, “Mr. Asif participated in a scheme to steal over a million dollars from Medicare—funds meant for essential medical care.”
He added, “Unfortunately, schemes like this are not isolated. Medicare is perpetually targeted by fraud, and the harm to the United States and taxpayers is considerable. We will persist in investigating and prosecuting such fraudulent schemes.”
According to court documents, records from the state of Washington reveal that American Labworks was established in October 2021 and dissolved in March 2025, with its Medical Test Site license expiring in December 2023. Throughout this timeframe, Asif was identified as the owner and director by both the state and Medicare.
Claims data from April to December 2024 indicated that the lab billed Medicare over $8.7 million for diagnostic services and received in excess of $1.1 million in payments. Complaints soon started pouring in. Between June 2024 and March 2025, Medicare recorded more than 200 complaints from beneficiaries and others regarding the lab.
Some beneficiaries reported being charged for tests they never underwent. One enrollee stated that Medicare paid American Labworks $545 for COVID-19 tests in August 2023 and March 2024, even though they were never tested on those dates. Others claimed they had never even heard of the physicians listed as referring providers. Several doctors whose names appeared in the lab’s billing records informed investigators that they had not referred any patients to the facility.
In certain instances, records showed testing dates occurring after a beneficiary had passed away. Other claims displayed referrals by physicians who were also deceased at the time the tests were allegedly ordered.
Financial records placed Asif at the core of the operation. Prosecutors indicated that he managed the company’s bank account, received various checks, and withdrew significant amounts. In May 2024 alone, he withdrew $260,000. Shortly thereafter, Asif—who was residing in the US on a student visa—departed for India. He returned in March 2025 just as investigators were closing in.
“Billing Medicare for millions of dollars' worth of laboratory testing that was never performed is a serious offense that undermines the integrity of our healthcare system and diverts critical resources from those who genuinely require them,” remarked Robb R. Breeden, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HHS-OIG.
FBI Seattle Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington stated, “Like many other fraudsters who exploit such situations, Mr. Asif used the COVID-19 pandemic to steal from taxpayers for his personal gain…”
Point of View
It is crucial to highlight the increasing prevalence of healthcare fraud in the United States. Cases like Mohammed Asif's not only undermine the integrity of our healthcare system but also divert critical resources from those in need. It is imperative that authorities continue to pursue and prosecute such fraudulent activities to protect taxpayers and maintain the system's integrity.
NationPress
03/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Mohammed Asif convicted of?
Mohammed Asif was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud through a diagnostic lab in Washington, resulting in over $1.17 million in fraudulent Medicare claims.
What were the consequences of Asif's actions?
Asif was sentenced to two years in federal prison and ordered to pay $1,174,813 in restitution. He also faces potential deportation upon completing his sentence.
How did this fraud scheme operate?
Asif and his co-conspirators billed Medicare for COVID-19 and other respiratory tests that were never ordered or performed, leading to substantial financial losses for the Medicare system.
What does this case reveal about Medicare fraud?
This case emphasizes the ongoing issue of healthcare fraud targeting Medicare, which harms taxpayers and undermines the healthcare system's integrity.
What actions are being taken against Medicare fraud?
Authorities are committed to investigating and prosecuting healthcare fraud schemes to protect the Medicare system and ensure essential resources are available for those in need.
