DOJ unveils charges for $6.5 billion in health fraud schemes

DOJ unveils charges tied to $6.5 billion in alleged health care fraud, expanding a major enforcement push aimed at false billing and medically unnecessary services. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against more than 450 defendants, including 90 medical professionals, covering schemes involving wound care, hospice, adult day care and opioid distribution. Officials said the total is the second-largest ever charged in a health care fraud operation. The DOJ also reported historic Medicaid-related figures, with 295 defendants facing over $518 million in false claims across 56 federal districts in 45 states and territories. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche cited alleged unnecessary tests, unneeded products and kickbacks, alongside claims of patient harm. The cases included allegations of markup and illegal kickbacks tied to skin substitutes.