A Filipino American physical therapist accused of helping defraud US government health programs out of ₱172.5 million is believed to be in the Philippines or the United Arab Emirates, according to American authorities.
Conrado Dizon Lopez Jr., 51, a licensed physical therapist and former owner of Total Rehab in Brooklyn, New York, is wanted on charges including health care fraud, conspiracy, false claims, false statements involving health care matters, and falsification of records.
Court documents cited by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General allege that Lopez participated in a scheme that targeted Medicare and Medicaid, two of America’s largest public health insurance programs. Between 2009 and 2011, the operation allegedly generated US$18.4 million, or more than ₱1.1 billion, in fraudulent reimbursement claims in New York’s Eastern District.
While prosecutors attribute the broader scheme to multiple individuals, Lopez was identified as the rendering provider on approximately US$2.8 million worth of allegedly fraudulent claims. Authorities allege the clinic billed for physical therapy services that were never provided, were medically unnecessary, lacked proper supervision, or were performed by unlicensed personnel.
The inspector general’s office said Lopez admitted knowing about the operation during interviews with investigators. He also allegedly acknowledged signing backdated treatment records and billing documents after returning from trips outside the United States. Some of those records reportedly covered dates when he was overseas, despite indicating that he had rendered or supervised patient care.
