As Paragon’s Health Care Fraud Dashboard continues to demonstrate, fraud drains billions of dollars every year from federal health programs, harming patients and taxpayers. Between June 13 and 26, the Department of Justice (DOJ) moved on several fronts: it announced one of the largest coordinated fraud enforcement actions in history, sued a state Medicaid program, and brought a steady stream of charges, convictions, and settlements.
Major fraud cases included:
DOJ announced its 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, charging 455 defendants with health care fraud and opioid schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in false claims across 45 states and territories. CMS suspended 1,079 providers and revoked billing privileges for another 1,403. Medicaid fraud was a focus: prosecutors charged 295 defendants with more than $518 million in alleged false claims, the largest Medicaid fraud total in DOJ history. (June 23)
Takedown cases included:
In Louisiana, a lab sales representative was charged with conspiracy for causing the submission of more than $51.7 million in claims for medically unnecessary respiratory testing, and a physician was charged with fraud in connection with a scheme to bill Medicare at least $5.9 million for care not provided.
In Hawaii, a pharmacist was charged in a scheme to bill Medicare for prescription drugs never dispensed, causing a loss of at least $1.5 million.
In Oregon, a lab owner was charged over fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare...
Who: Plaintiff Charles Miller filed a class action lawsuit against Master Lock Co. LLC and Fortune Brands Innovations. Why: Miller claims Master Lock falsely advertises its 140 line of padlocks...