DOJ Reports on Second Phase of Medicare Fraud Strike Force

On May 8, 2008, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced in a Press Release that the second phase of a Medicare fraud strike force began operations in Los Angeles, California on March 1, 2008.  In the Press Release, the DOJ reports that the second phase has already resulted in 11 indictments involving almost $13 million in Medicare claims. 

In the Press Release, the DOJ reports that the Medicare fraud strike force can identify potential fraud cases for investigation and prosecution quickly through real-time analysis of billing data from Medicare program safeguard contractors and claims data extracted from the Health Care Information System. The DOJ also reports that, in the strike force's second phase, federal law enforcement and government agencies are analyzing claims data to determine unusual billing patterns, identify possible fraudulent activity, and investigate possible false claims.

On May 9, 2007, the Department of Health and Human Services and DOJ announced in a Press Release the first phase of a targeted criminal, civil and administrative effort against fraudulent Medicare billings.  At the time, the Press Release indicated that a Medicare fraud strike force, comprised of federal, state and local investigators, began the first phase of its operations in Miami-Dade county, Florida in March 2007. 

According to the DOJ, the Medicare fraud strike force has brought charges against over 120 defendants since March 2007, resulting in more than 100 convictions to date. The DOJ also reports that (in Miami) fraudulent billings to Medicare in strike force-related cases have exceeded $420 million and that convicted defendants have been sentenced to more than $51million in court-ordered restitutions, fines and/or forfeitures related to Medicare losses.