ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Dr. Claribel Tan, a physician in Anchorage, has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for health care fraud and another 60 months for tax evasion. These sentences will run at the same time. After her prison term, Tan will spend two years under supervised release and must pay restitution estimated at over $17 million. Her husband, Daniel Tan, received three years of probation, with two years served at home.
In a case spanning several years, Tan and her husband pleaded guilty in 2025. Prosecutors revealed a $12.5 million health care fraud scheme involving fake claims to various health care programs. A press release from the U.S. Department of Justice highlighted that Tan admitted to submitting these false claims, impacting many patients.
In court, patients expressed their experiences through emotional statements. Erinn Marteney, a nurse, spoke about being misdiagnosed and suffering from untreated multiple sclerosis, stating her quality of life has declined drastically. She said, “I will never know how different my life would be if I had received the correct diagnosis.”
Veteran Brett Luna described his experience with Tan as “intentional” mistreatment. He had sought help for rheumatoid arthritis and felt that he was prevented from living fully. Dawn Whisenhunt, a long-term patient, shared her feelings of betrayal after believing that she was receiving proper care for 16 years.
However, not all former patients were critical. Susie Jolly highlighted that Tan had accurately diagnosed her with serious conditions, which may have saved her life, saying, “I never had a reason not to trust her.”
U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman emphasized the severe impact of crimes like these, stating they are “not just about the dollars.” He pointed out the significance of a long sentence in white-collar cases, noting that a 78-month sentence is rare for such offenses.
Before sentencing, Tan apologized for her actions, claiming her early years in the Philippines influenced her practices, where she tried to save patients money by prescribing expired medications. However, her apology was met with skepticism. Heyman remarked on the insincerity of her kneeling gesture in court, asserting that it didn’t feel genuine and drew attention to the greed driving her actions.
The investigation into Tan began after insurance companies noticed discrepancies in billing. This highlights the importance of vigilance in the healthcare system and how economic crimes can harm not just the financial aspect, but also the well-being of patients.
The final restitution amount will be determined by the court, and Claribel Tan’s supervised release will begin after her prison term ends.
For further details, you may want to check the U.S. Department of Justice’s official site for updates on healthcare fraud cases: DOJ Healthcare Fraud
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