FBI Offers $150,000 Reward for Emylee Thai in $142 Million Medicare Fraud Case
Major Federal Health Care Fraud Investigation
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Emylee Thai, a laboratory owner wanted in connection with an alleged health care fraud and kickback scheme involving genetic testing billed to Medicare. According to federal authorities, Thai's laboratory billed Medicare approximately $142 million and received approximately $95 million on those claims. Thai was arrested in 2022 but later disappeared while on pretrial release and is believed to have fled the United States for Vietnam.
Genetic Testing Scheme
On July 11, 2022, Thai was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay and receive health care kickbacks, and payment of kickbacks in connection with a federal health care program. The indictment describes an operation involving Thai's laboratory and outside marketers. The alleged scheme began in or around 2019.
According to the indictment, Thai contracted with marketers who referred signed doctors' orders and DNA samples from Medicare beneficiaries to her laboratory. In exchange, the marketers allegedly received a percentage of reimbursements generated by the laboratory. Federal prosecutors contend that this arrangement resulted in Medicare being billed for large amounts of genetic testing.
Testing Allegedly Not Medically Necessary
The genetic tests at the center of the case frequently cost Medicare several thousand dollars per beneficiary, according to information released by the FBI. Federal authorities allege that the testing was not medically necessary. Investigators also allege that the results often were not used as part of the beneficiaries' medical treatment.
Despite those circumstances, Thai's laboratory submitted an enormous volume of claims to the federal health care program. The resulting Medicare reimbursements reached tens of millions of dollars. The operation eventually became the focus of a federal criminal investigation.
$142 Million Billed to Medicare
According to the FBI, Thai's laboratory billed Medicare approximately $142 million for genetic testing during the period under investigation. Medicare ultimately paid the laboratory approximately $95 million on those claims. The scale of the billing made the case a significant federal health care fraud investigation.
The indictment alleges that kickback arrangements helped generate referrals and DNA samples used to support the laboratory's testing operation. Prosecutors subsequently brought multiple conspiracy and kickback charges against Thai. Those charges remain accusations to be resolved through the federal judicial process.
Released on Bail After Arrest
Thai was arrested following the federal charges and subsequently granted bail. Her release included several pretrial conditions intended to ensure that she remained available for future court proceedings. One of those conditions required Thai to wear a location-monitoring device.
The monitoring equipment allowed authorities to track her location while she remained outside federal custody. That supervision continued until December 2022, when investigators discovered that her monitoring device had been removed. Attempts to contact and locate Thai were unsuccessful.
GPS Monitor Removed
On December 8, 2022, Thai's location monitor was removed, according to the FBI. Authorities attempted to contact and locate her but were unable to do so. Her disappearance prompted an immediate federal response.
On December 9, 2022, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston issued a federal arrest warrant for Thai. She was charged with tampering with a GPS device. Investigators subsequently worked to determine how she had left federal supervision and where she had gone.
Alleged Escape by Private Aircraft
The investigation ultimately determined that Thai was able to flee the United States aboard a private airplane, according to the FBI. Authorities say she traveled to Vietnam while using a false identity. Her alleged use of a different identity added another challenge to the international effort to locate her.
Information concerning the aircraft, individuals who assisted with her travel, identities she may have used, or her movements after reaching Vietnam could potentially be relevant to investigators. Authorities remain interested in information capable of establishing her present location. Potential information should be reported directly through official law-enforcement channels.
Additional Federal Warrant Issued
Thai became the subject of another federal criminal case while authorities continued investigating her activities. On July 6, 2023, a separate federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston. Thai was charged with destruction and alterations of records in a federal investigation.
The additional charge expanded the federal case beyond the original health care fraud allegations and her disappearance from pretrial supervision. Multiple federal warrants are now associated with the continuing effort to locate her. Authorities continue seeking information that could result in her apprehension.
International Search for Thai
Thai's reported flight to Vietnam has transformed the case into an international fugitive investigation. Individuals who have encountered her in Vietnam or have information concerning her residences, associates, businesses, travel, or identities may possess information useful to investigators. Information concerning anyone who assisted her departure from the United States could also be relevant.
Because Thai allegedly traveled using a false identity, investigators may be interested in information beyond her known name. Individuals who believe they recognize her should not attempt to independently investigate or confront her. Information should instead be provided to the FBI or appropriate law-enforcement authorities.
FBI Offers Reward of Up to $150,000
The FBI is offering up to $150,000 for information leading to Emylee Thai's arrest and conviction. The reward is part of the continuing effort to locate her following her disappearance from pretrial supervision and reported flight to Vietnam. Authorities remain interested in information concerning both her current location and the circumstances surrounding her departure.
Anyone with credible information about Thai should contact the FBI through official reporting channels. Information concerning identities she may be using, her movements in Vietnam, associates, or other connections could potentially assist investigators. Members of the public should not attempt to locate or apprehend Thai themselves.
