The Justice Department announced Thursday that it was filing criminal charges against about 200 people for their alleged involvement in “various health care fraud schemes.”press release It was stated by the department.
The 2024 National Healthcare Fraud Enforcement Action found that intended losses from these frauds were approximately $2.75 billion, with actual losses estimated at $1.6 billion.
“Health care fraud affects all Americans.”
Of the 193 people indicted, 76 were doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, according to the Justice Department report. The scheme spanned 32 federal districts, the Justice Department noted.
The investigation resulted in the seizure of more than $231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold and other assets.
“The alleged charges include: [sic] “The charges included a $900 million fraud scheme involving amniotic wound implants; the illegal distribution of millions of pills of Adderall and other stimulants by five defendants associated with digital technology companies; more than $90 million in fraud by company executives who distributed adulterated and misbranded HIV medications; more than $146 million in fraudulent addiction treatment schemes; more than $1.1 billion in telemedicine and lab fraud; and more than $450 million in other healthcare fraud and opioid schemes,” the Justice Department reported.
According to a press release from the agency, an HIV drug diversion program resulted in a patient “fainting and remaining unconscious for 24 hours after taking an antipsychotic medication, thinking it was his prescribed HIV medication.”
Seven people associated with the telemedicine company Done Global have been charged with illegally distributing the drug Adderall over the internet. A Florida nurse allegedly applied for more than 1.5 million pills “without any patient contact.” The company did not respond to a request for comment, according to the New York Post.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, issued a statement regarding the charges.
“Health care fraud affects every American,” Argentieri said. “It siphons hard-earned tax dollars that could be used to pay for health care for the vulnerable and disabled. In doing so, it also raises health care costs for all patients. And even worse, as the indictment we’re announcing today highlights, health care fraud can harm patients and foster addiction. The Criminal Division is committed to rooting out health care fraud, no matter where it’s found or who commits it, and we’re using more tools than ever before to expose wrongdoing and hold wrongdoers accountable — whether that’s an executive sitting in a corner of an office or a doctor who breaks his oath.”
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get stories like this one directly to your inbox. Register here!
