Over the last week, Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations executed massive takedowns of 91 doctors, nurses, health care company owners, and medical professionals who were indicted for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes across the country.  The indictments, spanning 8 cities, account for $295 million in fraudulent claims, the largest amount from a single takedown in Strike Force history.

This takedown involved the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agents from the FBI, Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, multiple Medicaid Fraud Control Units, and state and local law enforcement agencies.  The schemes for which the defendants were indicted range from billing for medically unnecessary services or services which were never provided to paying kickbacks for referrals to selling Medicare beneficiary information.

Since 2009, Medicare Fraud Strike Force teams have been established in nine cities nationwide – including Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Dallas, Miami, and Detroit – and have resulted in charges against 1140 defendants allegedly responsible for more than $2.9 billion in fraudulent billing.  These operations are a part of the Health Care Fraud Prevention & Enforcement Action Team, a joint effort by the DOJ and HHS.