Every year, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Healthcare Fraud Strike Force and various U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country conduct a nationwide enforcement action. Together with law enforcement agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”), and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (“MFCU”) teams from state Attorney General’s offices, these “takedowns” (as they are often called) involve the coordinated filing of scores of federal indictments against individuals and businesses all over the country for healthcare fraud related offenses. Charges often include health care fraud, conspiracy, wire fraud, identity theft, the filing of false claims, and violations of the anti-kickback statute. The number of defendants charged in these takedowns often numbers in the hundreds and the dollar figures associated with their alleged crimes collectively soar into the billions.
DOJ takedowns happen without advance notice and leave individuals charged scrambling to pick up the pieces and protect their rights. The uncertainty is heightened by the fact that these takedowns are accompanied by a flurry of law enforcement activity, such as the issuance of subpoenas, the execution of search warrants, and unexpected arrests.
Having a lawyer by your side is critical during such a time. Knowing in advance that you or your company will face this situation, however, is difficult. In some years, these takedowns have taken place in August or September. The last two years, however, takedowns were announced on June 27, 2024 and June 28, 2023. Together, these takedowns involved the filing of charges against 271 defendants (193 in 2024 and 78 in 2023) for healthcare fraud allegedly surpassing $5 billion ($2.75 billion in 2024 and $2.5 billion in 2023). The Defendants targeted in these takedowns came from all facets of the healthcare industry—including licensed medical professionals, telemarketers, and lab owners.
The likelihood this annual tradition continues is high. With the introduction of the Department of Government Efficiency and renewed emphasis on combatting “fraud, waste, and abuse,” the Trump DOJ appears poised to continue. The current administration has made clear that it perceives billions of dollars lost to schemes in healthcare and others who do business with the government. It seems likely that this will remain a priority, and a national takedown is on the horizon over the coming months.
If you believe you are under investigation, contact former federal prosecutors who can help protect you, your family, and your business. Tom Clarkson and Patrick Schwedler served as health care fraud prosecutors and have a lengthy track record of defending businesses, executives, owners, and employees who become ensnared in health care fraud investigations, resulting in the dismissal of all charges and obtaining closure of cases for their clients. Call our office today at 770-954-7813.
