(3 February 2026 | Source: CWBChicago )
In the US, two Kazakh nationals are facing federal cases linked to alleged fraud involving the Medicare programme — the state health insurance system. According to the investigation, through companies under their control, fraudulent insurance claims were submitted totalling more than $1 billion.
Prosecutors allege they submitted fake bills for medical equipment and services that were not provided, and received payments from insurance companies and Medicare as a result.
WHAT THE CHARGES ARE ABOUT
According to the foreign publication CWBChicago, Anuar Abdrakhmanov took control of Priority One Medical Equipment (a supplier of medical equipment) based in Kentucky and, between March and August 2024, submitted approximately $666 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for continuous glucose monitors and catheters.
The investigation claims the equipment was not actually delivered to patients. According to court documents, the company’s office was empty, and employees only handled forwarding correspondence, including via messaging apps.
SECOND CASE
In the second case, Tair Smagul is accused of submitting fake claims through his company Medical Home Care Inc (a supplier of medical goods and services) for the supply of catheters totalling nearly $953 million.
The investigation established that many beneficiaries did not receive the claimed equipment, and the suppliers listed in the reports had no dealings with them.
FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
According to the prosecution, part of the insurance payouts were cashed out or transferred to the personal accounts of the accused, after which the companies' bank accounts were closed.
Further details about the movement of funds are not disclosed in the case materials.
STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATION
The cases continue to be reviewed by US federal authorities. The amount of the claims makes these proceedings among the largest suspected Medicare fraud cases in the country.