601 Criminal Healthcare Fraud Indictments Proves Enforcement Remains a Top Priority for Federal and State Authorities
The Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) just announced another historic âtakedownâ of criminal indictments and government actions to crack down on healthcare fraud. Consistent with takedowns from previous years, this yearâs announcement touts jaw-dropping amounts of alleged fraudulent billings (over $2 billion) and indictments (over 600 individuals charged), which reinforces the governmentâs focus on enforcement of healthcare fraud laws. Texas remains a major focal point for these efforts.
Attorney General Sessions called it âthe largest healthcare fraud enforcement action in American history. This is the most fraud, the most defendants, and the most doctors ever charged in a single operation. By every measure we are more effective at finding and prosecuting medical fraud than ever.â The takedown shows a coordinated effort between state and federal law enforcement, including the DOJ, HHS-OIG, FBI, DEA, IRS, CMS, the Department of Defense, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Units for many different states. It also underscores the DOJ vigilance in pursuing illegal opioid activity and the continued vitality of the DOJâs Healthcare Fraud Strike Force.
Moreover, the takedown evidences an aggressive targeting of healthcare providers dealing with Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE (a health insurance program for members and veterans of the armed forces and their families). Importantly, private healthcare insurance companies are also heavily involved in these efforts. The takedown announced criminal charges against 601 charged defendants, of which 76 were doctors, 89 were nurses and other licensed medical professionals, and many other patient recruiters, beneficiaries, and others said to have facilitated the schemes. Law enforcement also announced that it had excluded 2,700 individuals from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and all other federal healthcare programs.
Given the DOJâs recent announcement of an unprecedented hiring of 311 more federal prosecutors, these enforcement efforts (and the resources to support them) will undoubtedly increase.
Given the complexities of the laws and the aggressiveness of the law enforcement efforts, we recommend that no healthcare provider engage with government authorities without experienced and skilled counsel.
Jackson Walkerâs White Collar Defense & Government Enforcement practice group represents businesses and executives in government investigations, with an experienced team to address healthcare fraud investigations. If you or your business finds itself involved in a government investigation, or if you receive a government subpoena or civil investigative demand (CID), our team will defend your interests aggressively and effectively.
Meet Jason
Jason C. Rodgers is a trial lawyer who helps clients navigate investigations and defend actions brought by federal regulatory agencies, as well as resolve complex commercial disputes between civil litigants. His background spans investigative and trial work on behalf of the Securities and Exchange Commission, together with civil cases and arbitrations involving private securities fraud, mortgage-backed securities, private equity partnership disputes, public contracts, and licensing agreements. As a former member of the SEC Division of Enforcement, Jason investigated fraud and brought actions to enforce the federal securities laws. Prior to joining the SEC, Jason defended individuals and entities entangled in accounting scandals that led to the enactment of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.