The Department of Justice on Wednesday announced criminal charges against 78 people across 16 U.S. states for alleged health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes that resulted in $2.5 billion in alleged fraudulent claims.
According to the department, the elderly and disabled, as well as HIV patients, were among those targeted by the schemes.
Of the $2.5 billion in alleged fraudulent claims, about $1.1 billion was paid out, officials said. The claims were made to Medicare, state Medicaid programs, and supplemental Medicare insurance programs provided by private insurers.
As part of the enforcement actions, the Department of Justice “seized or restrained millions of dollars in cash, automobiles, and real estate.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement the law enforcement actions involved “one of the largest health care fraud schemes ever prosecuted by the Justice Department.” He also said the department “will find and bring to justice criminals who seek to defraud Americans and steal from taxpayer-funded programs.”
