May 26, 2021

A licensed insurance broker, Tarek Abou-Katwa, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield of more than $3.8 million.  According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Abou-Katwa created fictitious employees and altered years of birth of actual employees to lower the average age of insured groups and fraudulently obtain lower insurance premiums.  He then inflated the rates charged to clients and pocketed the difference, which was in excess of $3.6 million.  When audited, he created false sense reports and other documents.  Mr. Abou-Katwa will also pay $3.8 million in restitution and forfeit $8.4 million.  DOJ

Tagged in: Criminal Proceedings, Healthcare Fraud, Medical Billing Fraud,