Los Angeles, California — A Filipino American doctor and her husband, operating a clinic in Anchorage, Alaska, have been indicted on charges of health care fraud and tax evasion.
Dr. Claribel K. Chua Tan, a 60-year-old rheumatologist, and her husband, Daniel Tan, 69, were charged by a federal grand jury earlier this month.
According to a July 22 press release from the US Attorney’s Office, District of Alaska, the indictment alleges a $10 million fraud scheme that lasted 13 years, from 2010 to 2023.
The couple allegedly defrauded health care benefit programs by submitting false claims that misrepresented the type and dosage of medication and the scope of medical services provided.
Additionally, they are accused of creating false medical records and misleading patients about the necessity of medications and the substances injected into their bodies, as per court records.
Prosecutors reported that the Tans fraudulently obtained over $10 million, with $8.5 million already seized by the Justice Department in a separate civil action. From 2014 to 2017, they allegedly evaded income taxes by providing false information to their tax preparer and failed to file any returns from 2018 to 2021.
Facing multiple charges, the Tans could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years for healthcare fraud, five years for each count of tax evasion, and one year for each count of failing to file a tax return.
Released under strict conditions, the Tans surrendered their passports, agreed to supervision by a federal probation officer, and were restricted from leaving Alaska without permission.
Prosecutors expressed concerns about their potential flight risk, citing a home in the Philippines. Dr. Tan’s online profile indicates she obtained her medical degree from the UP College of Medicine.
