Over 400 Health Care Professionals Charged For Committing $1.3 Billion In Health Care Fraud, Including Opioid Distribution

On July 13, 2017, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that investigations by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force and 30 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units resulted in fraud arrests and charges filed against 412 health care professionals and the suspension of nearly 300. Losses are estimated at $1.3 billion. Of those charged, over 120 defendants, including physicians, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other narcotics. HHS has initiated suspension actions against 295 health care professionals, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.

The announcement said the charges . . .