Over 320 individuals charged in $14.6 billion health care fraud crackdown by DOJ

State and federal prosecutors have charged over 320 individuals and discovered almost $15 billion in false claims in what they called the largest coordinated takedown of health care fraud schemes in Justice Department history. Law enforcement seized more than $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and other assets as prosecutors warned of a growing push by transnational criminal networks to exploit the U.S. health care system. Perpetrators were identified in Russia, Eastern Europe, Pakistan, and other countries.

Matthew Galeotti, who heads the Justice Department's criminal division, stated, 'These criminals didn’t just steal someone else’s money. They stole from you. Every fraudulent claim, every fake billing, every kickback scheme represents money taken directly from the pockets of American taxpayers who fund these essential programs through their hard work and sacrifice.'

The alleged $14.6 billion in fraud surpasses the previous record in the Justice Department’s annual health care fraud crackdown. It involves nearly 190 federal cases and over 90 state cases charged or unsealed since June 9. Nearly 100 licensed medical professionals, including 25 doctors, were charged, and the government reported $2.9 billion in actual losses.

One case involves a $10 billion urinary catheter scheme that authorities say showcases the increasingly sophisticated methods used by transnational criminal organizations. The group behind the scheme used foreign straw owners to secretly acquire numerous medical supply companies and then utilized stolen identities and confidential health data to file fake Medicare claims.

Nineteen defendants have been charged as part of the investigation, known as Operation Gold Rush, including individuals arrested in Estonia and at U.S. airports and the border with Mexico. The scheme involved the stolen identities and personal information of over one million Americans, according to the Justice Department.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, who leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, commented, 'It’s not done by small-time operators. These are organized syndicates who are designing to hurt America.'

This story has been updated to show the Justice Department alleges the scheme resulted in nearly $15 billion in false claims.