Tag archives: fraud

Deputy Associate Attorney General Stephen Cox Addresses DOJ’s False Claims Act Enforcement Priorities and Regulatory Reforms

Photo of Chandra Westergaard (US)Photo of Keith M. Rosen (US)Photo of Rachel Park (US)By Chandra Westergaard (US), Keith M. Rosen (US) and Rachel Park (US) on Posted in Enforcement, General
On January 27, Deputy Associate Attorney General Stephen Cox delivered keynote remarks on the False Claims Act (FCA) at the 2020 Advanced Forum on False Claims and Qui Tam Enforcement. Mr. Cox’s remarks described the Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) ongoing enforcement efforts and priorities, as well as outlined DOJ’s regulatory reform agenda and some of its … Continue reading

OIG publishes Medicaid Fraud Control Units Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report

Photo of Savannah Wiseman (US)By Savannah Wiseman (US) on Posted in Enforcement
On March 25, 2019, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) published its Medicaid Fraud Control Units Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report. Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia have a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) which is responsible for investigating and prosecuting Medicaid provider fraud and patient neglect and abuse. The report notes that it … Continue reading

OIG considers new safe harbors and other incentives to promote coordinated care

Photo of Elise LeGros (US)By Elise LeGros (US) on Posted in Regulatory
As part of the Health and Human Services Department’s (“HHS”) “Regulatory Sprint to Coordinated Care” efforts aimed at alleviating unnecessary regulatory barriers to coordinated care while protecting against fraud and abuse, the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) issued a Request for Information (“RFI”) on August 27, 2018, requesting public input on the following items: Care … Continue reading

DOJ announces Market Integrity and Consumer Fraud Task Force

Photo of Yvonne Puig (US)Photo of Jeff Wurzburg (US)By Yvonne Puig (US) and Jeff Wurzburg (US) on Posted in Enforcement
On July 11 the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)  announced a new Task Force on Market Integrity and Consumer Fraud.  The wide-ranging Task Force will be chaired by the Deputy Attorney General and work towards: [T]he investigation and prosecution of cases involving fraud on the government, the financial markets, and consumers, including cyber-fraud and other … Continue reading

DOJ charges 412 individuals in largest healthcare fraud takedown in US history

Health Law PulseBy on Posted in Enforcement
On Thursday, the DOJ announced charges against 412 individuals for their alleged participation in healthcare fraud schemes involving approximately $1.3 billion in false billings.  This marks the largest national healthcare fraud takedown in U.S. history—topping the DOJ’s announcement of charges against 301 individuals in June 2016. The enforcement actions spanned across 41 federal districts and … Continue reading

Proposed rule strengthens state Medicaid Fraud Control Units

Health Law PulseBy on Posted in Regulatory
On Tuesday, September 20, 2016, CMS published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to bolster the current State Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs or Units).  MFCUs investigate and prosecute Medicaid fraud, including provider fraud, patient abuse, and neglect in health care facilities. MFCUs operate in 49 States and the District of Columbia. The MFCUs, … Continue reading

Ninth circuit upholds conviction for physician for re-using single use devices

Photo of Savannah Wiseman (US)By Savannah Wiseman (US) on Posted in Enforcement
Last week, the Ninth Circuit affirmed a physician’s conviction for conspiracy to distribute an adulterated device with intent to defraud or mislead in violation of Section 331(k) of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). The physician – who dubbed his own practice “The McDonald’s of Urology” because of the high volume of patients … Continue reading

DOJ charges over 300 people in largest healthcare fraud “takedown” in U.S. history

Health Law PulseBy on Posted in Enforcement
On Wednesday, the Justice Department announced that it had brought criminal and civil charges against 301 healthcare professionals as part of the largest national healthcare fraud “takedown” in history. A nationwide investigation spearheaded by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force revealed claims amounting to $900 million in the form of alleged kickbacks, money laundering, and other … Continue reading

Ninth Circuit approves enhanced sentences for “abuse of trust” in health care fraud case

Photo of Benjamin Wallfisch (US)By Benjamin Wallfisch (US) on Posted in Enforcement
In a decision that could have wider ramifications for sentencing in health care fraud cases, a Ninth Circuit panel last week affirmed a lower court’s sentencing enhancement, applied because the defendants were found to have abused a “position of trust” by submitting false information in Medicare claims. The case involves owners of a California-based DME … Continue reading

New OIG exclusion guidance places value on self-disclosure

Health Law PulseBy on Posted in Enforcement
The OIG has issued updated guidance on the agency’s exclusion authority, as announced by Inspector General Daniel Levinson at the HCCA’s 2016 Compliance Institute. According to the new guidance, good-faith self-disclosures will place providers at the lower-risk end of the spectrum for an exclusion release without integrity obligations.  As a result, providers have additional support … Continue reading

Feds unveil sweeping Medicare fraud “takedown”

Photo of Carol Poindexter (US)Photo of Benjamin Wallfisch (US)By Carol Poindexter (US) and Benjamin Wallfisch (US) on Posted in Enforcement
On June 18, Federal officials announced criminal enforcement actions against 243 individuals across the country. The nationwide arrests mark the largest criminal health care fraud takedown in history and came as a result of Medicare Fraud Strike Force investigations. The Attorney General, HHS Secretary, and FBI Director announced the charges, which allege various health care … Continue reading
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