HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — FBI officials announced on Tuesday that a woman from Houston, accused of nearly $100 million in healthcare fraud, has been added to their Most Wanted Fraudster list.
The FBI Houston office is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest of Emylee Thai, who faces charges in a health care fraud case involving genetic testing and kickbacks. Authorities said Thai likely fled to Vietnam after leaving the United States under a fake identity.
Emylee Thai FBI Reward Announced
Federal officials charged Thai on July 11, 2022, with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and payment of kickbacks connected to a federal health care program.
According to investigators, Thai owned a laboratory and worked with marketers beginning in 2019. Those marketers allegedly sent doctors’ orders and beneficiary DNA samples to the lab in exchange for a percentage of Medicare reimbursements.
Officials said the genetic tests often lacked medical necessity. In addition, Medicare often paid several thousand dollars per beneficiary for the tests.
Authorities also said doctors often did not use the tests in a beneficiary’s treatment. As a result, investigators allege the lab generated claims for testing that patients did not need.
Medicare Claims Reached $142 Million
Federal officials said Thai’s laboratory billed Medicare about $142 million for genetic testing during the alleged scheme. Medicare paid the laboratory about $95 million on those claims.
The case highlights federal concern over health care fraud tied to genetic testing. These schemes can involve unnecessary medical services, improper referrals and kickback payments.
Kickbacks are payments or rewards offered in exchange for patient referrals or business. However, those payments can violate the law when federal health care programs are involved.
Investigators said the alleged arrangement involved marketers, doctors’ orders and beneficiary DNA samples. Together, those parts allegedly helped generate claims for testing that lacked medical necessity.
Authorities Say Thai Fled After Bail
After her arrest, a court granted Thai bail with several conditions. Those conditions included a location monitoring device.
Officials said someone removed Thai’s location monitor on Dec. 8, 2022. Her last known location was Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
The next day, authorities tried several times to contact and locate Thai. Then, officials issued a warrant for her arrest.
Investigators later determined that Thai fled the United States. According to officials, she used a private airplane and a fake identity.
Additional Charge Filed in 2023
Federal officials also charged Thai on July 5, 2023, with destruction and alteration of records in a federal investigation.
Authorities did not say in the provided announcement whether Thai has an attorney available to comment on the allegations. The charges remain allegations unless prosecutors prove them in court.
Meanwhile, the FBI Houston office is asking anyone with information about Thai’s location to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips could help lead to her arrest and may qualify for the reward of up to $150,000.
This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.