SAN FRANCISCO— On December 10, 2024, Jingjin “Kathy” Bian, 54, of Cupertino, was arraigned on felony charges of insurance fraud after a California Department of Insurance (CDI) investigation revealed she allegedly received more than $900,000 in undeserved long-term care insurance benefits for her and her father.

According to CDI, Bian, a former insurance agent, was in a car accident in August 2018, resulting in a back injury and her filing claims to enact her long-term care benefits on her life insurance policy. The benefits were approved by her insurance company in January 2019 and she received more than $300,000 in benefits including for caregiver reimbursement.

CDI began its investigation after Bian’s insurance company suspected fraud. Through surveillance, Bian was observed performing activities independently, with no caregiver present, directly contradicting her claimed disabilities and reasons needing for caregiver reimbursement.

Bian was also the legal representative for her 81-year-old father, who lived with her and also had a life insurance policy with the same insurance company. In February 2018, Bian’s father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and he filed a claim to enact the long-term care benefits on his insurance policy. The claim stated he required hands on assistance and required a walker when going outside. Bian’s father’s claim application for benefits was approved by the insurance company in February 2019 and he received more than $600,000 in benefits.

Surveillance observed Bian’s father performing activities independently, with no caregiver present, directly contradicting his claimed disabilities. The investigation found that Bian was listed as her father’s legal representative in all correspondence and that all of her father’s policy correspondence, care provider scheduling, and billing were handled by Bian.

Bian’s alleged actions resulted in a loss of $900,000 to the insurance company. Bian is out on bail and is scheduled to return to court on April 16, 2025. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.

“CDI investigators and detectives work to identify and investigate those suspected of filing false claims that result in financial losses to insurance companies.  Insurance fraud contributes to higher premiums for those purchasing policies,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.