Former HHS-OIG Fugitive Who Fled to Philippines Pleads Guilty in $1.2 Billion Medicare Fraud Scheme

A former federal fugitive who fled to the Philippines has pleaded guilty for his role in a massive $1.2 billion telemedicine and durable medical equipment fraud scheme, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

Herbert Kimble pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and failure to appear in federal court, HHS-OIG said.

Federal authorities said Kimble played a major role in the billion-dollar scheme before fleeing to the Philippines while facing prosecution in the United States.

Kimble now faces an expected 15 to 20 years in federal prison and has agreed to pay $200 million in restitution.

The case involved fraudulent billing connected to telemedicine and durable medical equipment, part of a broader federal crackdown on schemes targeting Medicare and other government health care programs.

HHS-OIG said its hotline receives more than 115,000 tips and complaints each year, many involving suspected Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

Kimble’s sentencing has not yet been announced.