Justice Department Expands Health Care Fraud Strike Force to Philadelphia
The Justice Department has announced the expansion of its Northeast Health Care Fraud Strike Force to Philadelphia. This move targets suspected Medicare and Medicaid fraud in the home health care sector. The new strike force office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania will include the DOJ’s National Fraud Enforcement Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the district.
In line with this expansion, authorities have charged 19 individuals implicated in schemes totaling over $4 million in fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid. This group includes home health care business owners, employees, alleged aides, and Medicaid recipients.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday also revealed a plea agreement with the last defendant in a previous case involving 21 individuals accused of filing more than $1.7 million in fraudulent claims.
The DOJ emphasized that the expansion strengthens federal capabilities in a district known for robust health care fraud enforcement. It enhances collaboration between the Fraud Division and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, targeting those who exploit corporate identities to commit fraud.
Some cases involve allegations of home health aides billing Medicaid for care while being unavailable due to incarceration, hospitalization, other employment, or international travel. One Medicaid recipient allegedly claimed intensive home health needs while working as a carpenter.
The Northeast Strike Force will collaborate with the HHS Office of Inspector General, FBI, DEA, and additional agencies. Defendants in some cases reportedly submitted overlapping work hours or claimed more than 24 hours of care in a single day. One agency and its owners are accused of fraudulent clock-ins and clock-outs.
The DOJ statement reiterated their commitment to using all legal measures to address offenses against the public. This expansion follows recent strike force set-ups in various states and national actions addressing significant fraudulent losses.