US charges 193 people in $2.7 billion healthcare fraud

Washington Washington: Nearly 200 people have been charged in a nationwide operation investigating false health care claims linked to losses of about $2.75 billion, The Hill reported Thursday, citing the Justice Department.

As part of its 2024 National Healthcare Fraud Enforcement Action, the DOJ filed charges against 193 defendants, including 76 doctors, nurse practitioners, and other licensed medical professionals, in 32 different federal districts across the country.

According to The Hill, the US government seized “more than US$231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold and other assets” in a nationwide law enforcement operation.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are a trafficker in a drug cartel or a corporate executive or a medical professional employed by a healthcare company, if you profit from the illegal distribution of controlled substances, you will be held accountable,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

According to the DOJ, five individuals and a digital technology company participated in a more than $900 million fraud scheme involving the illegal distribution of amniotic wound grafts, Adderall pills, and other stimulants in Arizona.

The DOJ also alleges that corporate executives committed US$90 million in fraud by distributing adulterated and misbranded HIV medication, more than US$146 million in fake addiction treatment schemes, more than US$1.1 billion in telemedicine and laboratory fraud, as well as US$450 million in other healthcare fraud and opioid schemes, as reported by The Hill.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said his department’s agents were proud of the role they played in the multi-agency investigation.

“Through this action, we send a clear and strong message to federal law enforcement — that we will hold accountable those healthcare providers and prescribers who prey on their patients for profit and disregard the first rule of medical care: do no harm,” Mayorkas said in a statement. (ANI)