Healthcare fraud – which further drives up costs for ordinary Americans – is reaching such a scale that The United States Attorney’s Office in Chicago has announced the creation of a new Healthcare Fraud Section, a move aimed at intensifying the fight against criminal healthcare fraud in the region.
The new section, which will operate within the Criminal Division, is designed to “prosecute criminal health care fraud violations” and strengthen the office’s ability to address complex fraud schemes targeting the healthcare system.
The Healthcare Fraud Section will include six prosecutors and will operate alongside the existing Healthcare Fraud Strike Force. The office will be tasked with prosecuting defendants in all types of health care fraud, from providers who engage in fraudulent billing schemes to doctors who prescribe unnecessary medications.
“Since becoming U.S. Attorney, my office has charged nearly $2 billion in health care fraud schemes involving alleged criminal conduct that has stretched across the country, and even transnationally,” said US Attorney Andrew Boutros. in a statement.
“The newly created Healthcare Fraud Section that I’ve launched will bring greater focus, efficiency, and impact to our efforts in this important program area, which often involves the exploitation of patients through unnecessary and/or unsafe medical tests and procedures,” he added.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to “strengthen coordination with the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
“Healthcare fraud is not a victimless crime,” said Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.
“These complex schemes not only drain critical resources intended to provide care and protect some our most vulnerable citizens, but can also lead to patient harm. The enhanced collaboration and focus this new section brings will enable federal and state law enforcement partners to strengthen our ability to identify and hold accountable those who seek to defraud our federal healthcare programs and keep patients safe.”
The new section will focus on “fraudulent health insurance claims, upcoding and unbundling schemes, kickbacks, and other illegal practices that drive up costs for patients and taxpayers.”
“Healthcare providers, gatekeepers, and others who criminally cheat the system will be vigorously investigated, prosecuted, and punished under federal law and pursuant to the Department’s priorities,” said Boutros.