
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday a sweeping crackdown on health care fraud that has resulted in charges against 324 individuals accused of participating in schemes that caused more than $14.6 billion in losses. Among those charged are 96 licensed medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.
This initiative, described by officials as the largest health care fraud enforcement action in the agency’s history, reflects a multi-year investigative effort by a coalition of federal and state partners, including the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
According to the Department of Justice, the fraud schemes targeted federal health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. The fraudulent activities ranged from billing for unnecessary medical services and equipment to illegally distributing opioids and other prescription drugs. In several cases, medical professionals were accused of providing prescriptions for controlled substances without legitimate medical purpose, contributing to the ongoing opioid crisis.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the impact of fraud on American taxpayers and patients. “These charges demonstrate that the Department of Justice, in coordination with our law enforcement and regulatory partners, will hold accountable those responsible for exploiting some of our nation’s most critical health care programs,” Garland said.
The federal crackdown aims to deter future fraudulent activity by exposing the scale and severity of abuse in the health care system. Officials also stressed the importance of continued oversight and monitoring to prevent further exploitation of Medicare and other assistance programs.
As part of the enforcement action, authorities have also initiated civil proceedings in some cases to recoup funds and impose penalties. The investigations remain ongoing and could lead to additional charges or settlements.
This operation underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding public funds and ensuring integrity in the nation’s health care system.
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