Big Health Care Fraud Bust: 200 People Charged in the US
Nearly 200 people have been charged in a major operation investigating false health care claims, resulting in approximately USD 2.75 billion in losses. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced charges against 193 defendants, including 76 doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals across 32 federal districts.
The US government seized over USD 231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated, “It does not matter if you are a trafficker in a drug cartel or a corporate executive or medical professional employed by a health care company if you profit from the unlawful distribution of controlled substances, you will be held accountable.”
The DOJ revealed that five individuals and a digital technology company were involved in a USD 900-million fraud scheme in Arizona related to amniotic wound grafts and the unlawful distribution of Adderall pills and other stimulants. Additionally, corporate executives were accused of a USD 90 million fraud scheme involving adulterated HIV medication, USD 146 million in fake addiction treatment schemes, USD 1.1 billion in telemedicine and laboratory fraud, and USD 450 million in other health care and opioid fraud schemes.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas praised the multi-agency investigation, stating, “Through this action, we in federal law enforcement send a clear and strong message — that we will hold accountable those health care providers and prescribers who prey on their patients for profit and disregard the first rule of medical care: do no harm.”
