SHELBY LIVINGSTON / January 9, 2020
The U.S. Justice Department recovered more than $2.6 billion in 2019 from lawsuits involving healthcare fraud and false claims, federal data released Thursday show.
The department’s recoveries from healthcare fraud cases have inched higher in recent years from roughly $2.5 billion in 2018 and $2.1 billion in 2017. The fiscal year ending Sept. 30 was the 10th straight year that settlements and judgments from healthcare companies for alleged fraud exceeded $2 billion, the Justice Department said. 
“The significant number of settlements and judgments obtained over the past year demonstrate the high priority this administration places on deterring fraud against the government and ensuring that citizens’ tax dollars are well spent,” Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt said in a statement.
The cases involved drug and medical device manufacturers, insurers, hospitals, pharmacies, hospice organizations, laboratories and doctors. While the $2.6 billion in recoveries reflects federal losses, the Justice Department said it recovered additional millions of dollars for state Medicaid programs.