The U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday it completed the largest health care fraud bust in its history, arresting over 300 people accused of defrauding the government out of more than $900 million.
The DOJ says its Medicare Fraud Strike Force found that suspects in more than 20 states took part in schemes where patients were billed for unnecessary treatments or services, some of which never even happened.
Many of the accused allegedly received kickbacks in exchange for their billing information, so doctors could submit the phony claims. Of the people charged, 61 are doctors or licensed medical professionals.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch emphasized that false billing isn't a victimless crime.
"The wrongdoers that we pursue in these operations seek to use public funds for private enrichment. They target real people — many of them in need of significant medical care," Lynch said at a press conference.
Since its inception in 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force has uncovered almost $9 billion in false billings.
This video includes a clip from U.S. Department of Justice and images from Getty Images.
