U.S. Justice Dept. Announces $6.5 B Healthcare Fraud Sweep Targeting 455 Defendants

On June 23, 2026 the U.S. Department of Justice unveiled the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, the largest healthcare‑fraud enforcement action in the agency’s history. Prosecutors charged 455 individuals – including 90 doctors and other medical professionals – across 56 federal districts for filing false Medicare, Medicaid and private‑insurer claims that total more than $6.5 billion.

A central case involves Texas cardiologist Dr. Jason Finkelstein, 53, who is accused of running an $89 million scheme that billed insurers for unnecessary cardiovascular screenings of college athletes. The indictment alleges he approved 63 cardiac scans of a single student in roughly 11 seconds; the teenager died of sudden cardiac arrest 24 days later. Finkelstein pleaded not guilty in Florida.

The operation also involved international cooperation, with arrests in Cyprus, Estonia and the Philippines. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the sweep alongside Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, who said the fraud harmed patients and inflated insurance premiums for all Americans. Authorities seized more than $182 million in cash, vehicles and assets, and suspended or revoked billing privileges for thousands of providers.