The role of genetics in aging; $52M Medicare fraud; ICE and patient access to care — Morning Medical Update Weekly Recap

Longevity may be written in your genes

How long people live may depend more on genetics than lifestyle alone, according to a new study published in Science. Researchers analyzing Swedish twins and families with multiple centenarians found that extreme longevity clustered strongly within families, suggesting inherited factors play a major role in reaching very old age. While healthy behaviors still matter for overall health and disease risk, the findings suggest they may not be enough to overcome genetic limits when it comes to living past 100. The New York Times has more.

Lab owner pleads guilty in $52M genetic testing fraud scheme

A Florida laboratory owner has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a $52 million Medicare fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary genetic tests, federal prosecutors said. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Sean Alterman, 38, owned and operated two laboratories, Live Beyond Medical MGMT, LLC, and Dynix Diagnostics LLC, through which he purchased doctors’ orders through illegal kickbacks and used deceptive telemarketing and “doctor chasing” tactics — that is, faxing physicians false and misleading requests for prescriptions in order to trick them into signing off on tests their patients did not need.

Prosecutors said Alterman’s labs billed approximately $52 million to Medicare, $36 million of which was paid on the false claims. Alterman personally netted roughly $5.5 million through two shell companies — Shivv LLC and Shank LLC. He faces up to 15 years in prison and agreed to forfeit his Lake Worth, Florida estate and 2022 Rolls Royce Ghost, both of which were purchased with fraud proceeds.

ICE activity near health facilities deterring patient care, AMA warns

Immigration enforcement activity in and around hospitals and clinics is fueling fear among patients and clinicians and deterring people from seeking care, the American Medical Association (AMA) warned this week. The statement follows the fatal shooting of Minneapolis VA ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a federal agent during an immigration-related operation, which has intensified scrutiny of enforcement tactics.

The AMA cited growing evidence that immigrant patients are delaying or skipping care due to fears about enforcement and data sharing, echoing national survey data showing sharp increases in care avoidance. Medical groups are urging practices to prepare clear protocols in case immigration or other law enforcement officers enter health care facilities, warning that fear in clinical settings undermines patient safety and trust.