78 People Charged In $2.5 Billion Health Care Fraud Schemes Targeting Elderly, Disabled: DOJ

The US Department of Justice has indicted 78 individuals for their alleged involvement in a $2.5 billion health care fraud and opioid abuse scheme.

The Justice Department said in a press release Wednesday that the defendants allegedly defrauded the program, which is used to care for the elderly and disabled. They spend some of their money on luxury items, including exotic cars, jewelry, and yachts.

"These enforcement actions, including action against one of the largest health care fraud schemes ever undertaken by the Department of Justice, are part of our intense efforts to combat fraud and hold those who profit from it accountable." Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. Press release. .

The Justice Department worked with federal and state law enforcement agencies to seize millions of dollars in cash, vehicles and real estate.

"The Department of Justice will find and prosecute criminals who are trying to defraud Americans and rob taxpayer-funded programs," Garland said.

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Eleven defendants accused of defrauding a $2 billion telemedicine scheme are among those charged.

"The Southern District of Florida's indictment alleges that the chief executive officer (CEO), former chief executive officer and vice president of business development of a software and services company allegedly conspired to manufacture in lieu of medical order templates for orthopedic and pain relievers. creams and sold them for kickbacks and kickbacks," the Ministry of Justice said.

The Justice Department said his telemarketing operations, conducted in the United States and abroad, targeted the elderly and disabled through letters, television commercials and other forms of advertising to lure them into buying unnecessary medical equipment and prescriptions.

According to the indictment, the software platform is "a conduit for these telemarketers to coordinate illegal kickback payments and kickbacks to telemedicine companies to obtain medical orders for Medicare beneficiaries," the Justice Department said in a statement.

In another case, an accused physician in the Eastern District of Washington was accused of signing more than 2,800 fraudulent orders for orthopedic products, including for some patients who had previously had their limbs amputated, the report said.

The Justice Department also indicted 10 defendants in more than $370 million in counterfeit prescription drug lawsuits and 24 licensed doctors and health care professionals who "lined their own pockets," the Justice Department said.

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