A national crackdown on health care fraud has landed dozens of people in Michigan in trouble with the law.
The Medicare Fraud Strike Force, jointly run by the U.S. Justice and the Health and Human Services departments, has charged more than 400 defendants nationwide of fraud amounting to more than a billion dollars.
In Michigan, 32 people face charges, including fraud, kickbacks, money laundering and drug diversion schemes involving approximately $218 million in false claims for services that were medically unnecessary or never rendered.
“The damaging effects of health care fraud impact every American. Waste, fraud and abuse siphon away critical resources from our health care system, and contribute to the rising cost of health care for all Americans,” said David P. Gelios, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Division of the FBI.
In addition to federal charges, Michigan’s Attorney General is charging three individuals for filing false Medicaid claims.
“Medicaid fraud is a serious issue across the country,” says Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette. “Unfortunately, there are individuals whose greed overshadows patient care, and it is important those individuals are found, stopped, and held accountable for their crime.”
