The U.S. Justice Department announced that it has filed criminal charges against 193 individuals, including 76 medical professionals such as doctors and nurses, for their involvement in health care fraud totaling $2.75 billion. This operation, conducted over two weeks, focused on various schemes, including illegal distribution of Adderall and fraudulent claims related to drug and alcohol abuse treatment amounting to $176 million. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that the crackdown also targeted telemedicine fraud, with 36 defendants accused of submitting more than $1.1 billion in false claims to Medicare.
During a press conference, Garland stated, “The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting criminals who defraud Americans, steal from taxpayer-funded programs, and endanger people’s lives for profit.” The enforcement action, spanning 32 federal districts, resulted in the seizure of over $231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets.
One significant case involved seven individuals linked to the San Francisco-based telehealth startup Done Global, charged with illegally distributing Adderall. Allegations included a nurse practitioner prescribing 1.5 million Adderall pills with minimal patient interaction. The company’s founder and lead physician were previously charged earlier this month. U.S. officials suspect these fraud schemes contributed to recent shortages of Adderall.
The investigations were led by the Justice Department’s criminal fraud unit and involved collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, FBI, and Drug Enforcement Administration. Officials highlighted the increasing use of data analytics to detect fraud that jeopardizes patient safety and burdens government resources.
