DOJ unveils charges for $6.5 billion in health fraud schemes

The Department of Justice (DOJ) unveiled on Tuesday charges against more than 450 defendants for alleged health care fraud totaling over $6.5 billion in false claims, as part of the Trump administration’s heightened focus on stopping fraud. 

It was the second largest amount ever charged in a health care fraud operation, officials said.  

Charges were brought against 90 medical professionals for a range of alleged healthcare fraud schemes, including wound care, hospice, adult day care and opioid distribution. 

The DOJ’s annual healthcare fraud takedown and fraud enforcement actions also included what the agency said were the largest number of Medicaid fraud defendants and Medicaid fraud loss charged in department history: 295 defendants and over $518 million in false claims. 

“The allegations in these cases are particularly disturbing,” Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said during a Justice Department press event. “Some defendants allegedly ordered medically unnecessary tests. Others prescribed products that patients did not need. Some allegedly fueled opioid addiction to increase their own revenue. In certain cases, patients allegedly died, all believing they were receiving........

© The Hill