Today, United States Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner for the Western District of Kentucky announced civil settlements with 6 defendants in connection with false claims submitted to Medicaid. The civil settlements are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The civil settlements, totaling $23,816,217.60, stem from alleged fraudulent billings to Medicaid for services not provided or tainted by financial conflicts of interest. “These settlements reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries and ensuring the integrity of publicly funded programs,” said Kyle G. Bumgarner, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. “When providers place their own financial interests ahead of the people they serve, they not only break the law—they put elderly adults and individuals with disabilities at risk of losing the vital supports that allow them to remain safely in their homes. We will continue to hold accountable those who compromise the care our communities rely on.”“This year’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown represents the greatest whole-of-government effort to combat health care fraud in our Nation’s history,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Under the decisive leadership of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, and our law enforcement partners, this administration has ushered in a new era of enforcement that will safeguard taxpayer dollars.”The civil settlements announced today by U. S. Attorney Bumgarner are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms. Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S…
Source: U.S. Department of Justice