COLUMBIA, S.C. – A staggering $23 billion was spent on taxpayer-funded healthcare programs in South Carolina alone in 2023, with an estimated 10% of that amount lost to waste, fraud, and abuse, raking in a whopping $2.3 billion. To combat this, U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs has announced the formation of the Palmetto Health Care Fraud Task Force (PHCF Task Force), a multi-agency task force dedicated to taking down those responsible for this massive financial burden.
The PHCF Task Force is the result of successful meetings between the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, and other federal, state, and local agencies as part of a Health Care Fraud Working Group. The task force will focus on aggressively investigating allegations of false billings, COVID-19 fraud, violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and other schemes that victimize patients, healthcare providers, private insurers, and government insurers, such as Medicare, TRICARE, and Medicaid, in the District of South Carolina.
The creation of the PHCF Task Force demonstrates a clear commitment to protecting the healthcare system and the federal programs that support it. According to U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs, “Health care fraud impacts our citizens, both as patients and taxpayers. The Palmetto Health Care Fraud Task Force demonstrates our commitment to working with our partners to protect those seeking quality medical care and the federal programs meant to support them.”
The PHCF Task Force will be bolstered by additional resources, including the FBI’s Data Analytics Response Team (DART), numerous forensic accountants, and Intelligence Analysts from various agencies. This increased support will enable the task force to more efficiently prosecute cases and recover taxpayer money lost to fraud.
Health care fraud is a serious issue that affects everyone, weakening public trust in the healthcare system. The FBI’s Special Agent in Charge, Steve Jensen, noted, “Fraud committed within our health systems affects everyone and weakens public trust. The FBI created the PHCF Task Force to bolster the local, state, and federal posture against health care fraud, and it will enhance our investigative approaches to hold offenders accountable.”
The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), also welcomed the PHCF Task Force, reaffirming its commitment to protecting Medicare, Medicaid, and the well-being of their beneficiaries from fraudulent schemes. As Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles stated, “Our unwavering commitment at HHS-OIG remains steadfast in protecting Medicare, Medicaid, and the well-being of their beneficiaries from fraudulent schemes. The impact of defrauding federal health care programs diverts crucial resources from those deserving of vital medical attention and will not be tolerated.”
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Related Federal Cases
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- Joiner and Arthur Sentenced for $2.8M Health Care Fraud Scheme · South Carolina
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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