Washington DC [US], Nearly 200 people have been charged in a nationwide operation investigating false health care claims involving approximately $2.75 billion in losses, The Hill reported Thursday, citing the Department of Justice.
Under its 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action, the Department of Justice filed charges against 193 defendants, including 76 physicians, nurse practitioners, and other licensed medical professionals in 32 different federal districts across the country.
The US government seized "more than $231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold and other assets" in a nationwide law enforcement action, according to The Hill.
"It doesn't matter if you are a trafficker for a drug cartel or a corporate executive or a medical professional employed by a health care company, if you profit from the illegal distribution of controlled substances, you will be held accountable," said the Attorney General. General Merrick Garland. in a sentence.
According to the Department of Justice, the five individuals and a digital technology company participated in a more than $900 million fraud scheme in Arizona involving amniotic wound grafts, the illegal distribution of Adderall pills and other stimulants.
The Justice Department also alleges that corporate executives committed a $90 million fraud scheme by distributing adulterated and misbranded HIV medications, more than $146 million in bogus addiction treatment plans, more of $1.1 billion in laboratory and telemedicine fraud, as well as $450 million. in other health care fraud and opioid schemes, The Hill reported.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said agents from his department were proud to participate in the multi-agency investigation.
"Through this action, we, in federal law enforcement, are sending a clear and strong message: that we will hold accountable health care providers and prescribers who take advantage of their patients for profit and ignore the law. first rule of medical care: do no harm. Mayorkas said in a statement.
Under its 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action, the Department of Justice filed charges against 193 defendants, including 76 physicians, nurse practitioners, and other licensed medical professionals in 32 different federal districts across the country.
The US government seized "more than $231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold and other assets" in a nationwide law enforcement action, according to The Hill.
"It doesn't matter if you are a trafficker for a drug cartel or a corporate executive or a medical professional employed by a health care company, if you profit from the illegal distribution of controlled substances, you will be held accountable," said the Attorney General. General Merrick Garland. in a sentence.
According to the Department of Justice, the five individuals and a digital technology company participated in a more than $900 million fraud scheme in Arizona involving amniotic wound grafts, the illegal distribution of Adderall pills and other stimulants.
The Justice Department also alleges that corporate executives committed a $90 million fraud scheme by distributing adulterated and misbranded HIV medications, more than $146 million in bogus addiction treatment plans, more of $1.1 billion in laboratory and telemedicine fraud, as well as $450 million. in other health care fraud and opioid schemes, The Hill reported.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said agents from his department were proud to participate in the multi-agency investigation.
"Through this action, we, in federal law enforcement, are sending a clear and strong message: that we will hold accountable health care providers and prescribers who take advantage of their patients for profit and ignore the law. first rule of medical care: do no harm. Mayorkas said in a statement.
