US charges 193 individuals in $2.7 Billion healthcare fraud
- In Reports
- 06:26 PM, Jun 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Hill reported that the Department of Justice has charged nearly 200 individuals nationwide in an operation investigating fraudulent healthcare claims, which allegedly resulted in losses of approximately USD 2.75 billion.
In its 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action, the DOJ has filed charges against 193 defendants, including 76 doctors, nurse practitioners, and other licensed medical professionals across 32 federal districts nationwide.
According to The Hill, the US government has seized "over USD 231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets" in a nationwide law enforcement operation.
Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that individuals involved in drug cartels, corporate executives, or medical professionals working for healthcare companies will face accountability for profiting from the illegal distribution of controlled substances.
The DOJ reported that five individuals and a digital technology company were implicated in a fraud scheme exceeding USD 900 million in Arizona. This scheme allegedly involved the illegal distribution of Adderall pills, other stimulants, and amniotic wound grafts.
The DOJ has accused corporate executives of participating in various fraud schemes amounting to USD 90 million, involving the distribution of adulterated and falsely branded HIV medication.
Additionally, they are alleged to have orchestrated fraudulent activities totalling more than USD 146 million in fake addiction treatment programmes, over USD 1.1 billion in telemedicine and laboratory fraud, and USD 450 million in other healthcare fraud and opioid schemes, according to The Hill.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas expressed pride in his department's agents for their role in the multi-agency investigation.
Mayorkas stated in a release that federal law enforcement aims to send a clear and forceful message through this action — holding accountable healthcare providers and prescribers who exploit their patients for financial gain, disregarding the primary principle of medical care: do no harm.
Image source: Reuters
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