A doctor in California, who billed Medicare over $35 million for hospice services last year, has had his billing privileges revoked.
This follows an investigation by The Post, which highlighted a network of medical professionals allegedly linked to millions in questionable claims within California’s hospice sector.
Dr. Fariba Javaherian, a board-certified dermatologist, is reportedly connected to 63 hospice facilities in the state, serving various roles such as medical director and attending physician, based on data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reviewed by The Post.
Her unique National Provider Identifier (NPI) has been used for over 6,000 claims involving 1,662 patients, which accounted for a staggering total of $35,816,331.
Following a comprehensive investigation by The Post, CMS took action to revoke Dr. Javaherian’s ability to bill Medicare.
When approached for comment regarding the suspension, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz stated, “The words ‘do no harm’ were ignored and replaced by devastating acts of harm disguised as assistance.” He referred to Javaherian’s medical attire as merely a costume. However, she has yet to face any formal accusations.
According to a medical director from a hospice facility, managing a large number of patients effectively is nearly impossible. “Show me a doctor seeing 225 patients…it’s physically not feasible to provide quality care,” he commented.
From early 2018 to the end of September 2025, Javaherian’s NPI was linked to more than 31,000 claims spanning 130 hospice agencies, amassing over $173 million.
“CMS is keeping a close watch on Dr. Javaherian’s activities,” stated CMS spokesperson Christopher Klepić. He noted that in collaboration with Vice President Vance’s Fraud Task Force, they have acted on substantial evidence to revoke her Medicare enrollment and halt payments to related healthcare providers.
Dr. Javaherian has disputed claims of working for 63 hospices, alleging her identity was stolen to set up fraudulent agencies. She mentioned that HospiceMD, a medical records and software company, was involved in this scheme.
CMS confirmed her connections to numerous hospice agencies, with at least 16 of them losing their licenses following the investigation’s findings.
In light of the findings, Klepić added that funds and payments to the companies linked to Dr. Javaherian have also been suspended.
A spokesperson for California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta said they could not comment on ongoing investigations or potential cases.
Javaherian continued to maintain her non-involvement with the hospice facilities, asserting she was a victim of fraud without any association to the agencies involved.
She mentioned, “They start hospice with my name, bill Medicare, and then disappear,” emphasizing that she wasn’t compensated by these entities.
In response to allegations, HospiceMD’s CEO Sahaar Jospeh clarified that their services are strictly third-party support for hospice agencies and do not engage in agency management or oversee user accounts.
Experts consulted by The Post expressed surprise at the notion of NPI theft for Medicare billing purposes, with one stating he had never encountered such a scenario.
Javaherian, who claims to only work for seven hospice agencies and describes herself as a “problem solver,” spoke of the challenges she faces daily, such as managing patient deaths, a reality that, according to her, results in multiple fatalities each day.
She advocates for her relationship with Medicare, stating her transparency about her operations.
However, CMS noted that their records do not align with her claims regarding patient mortality rates, specifically highlighting that no deaths occurred at the two facilities where she is listed as the sole physician in 2025.
Additionally, she affirmed her regular communication with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) about possible fraud linked to her NPI.
Despite this, when asked to provide evidence of her claims, she declined and did not specify the names of the hospices with which she claims to work.
The CDPH, responding to inquiries about any reported fraudulent activities associated with her NPI, stated they are currently investigating the matter.
Javaherian also alleged that a prosecutor’s investigation into her claims of identity theft is underway, asserting she is cooperating fully.
Her name appears in connection with Domingo Barrientos, who pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud in 2024, resulting in substantial restitution and prison time.
At the hospice facilities in question, both she and Barrientos billed significant amounts, but these facilities ultimately failed to meet Medicare certification requirements, leading to a loss of accreditation in 2025.
In the Los Angeles region, the problem of fraud in home health and hospice care is reportedly a $3.5 billion issue annually.
