A massive national health care fraud enforcement action has resulted in charges against 455 defendants across the United States, involving schemes totaling over $6.5 billion in false claims. The Department of Justice's 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown also saw the Eastern District of Louisiana Strike Force announce charges against two individuals for alleged fraud against Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE, alongside three state-level arrests for Medicaid fraud.
The nationwide operation charged 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes. This coordinated effort spanned 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating. Unprecedented international cooperation led to the apprehension of fraudsters in Kyrenia, Estonia, and the Philippines, including one of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters. The takedown also resulted in the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets.
This whole-of-government approach included actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), pursued 48 civil monetary payment settlements totaling over $73 million and sought more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from suspended funds. Additionally, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated 928 administrative cases to revoke authority for handling controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
In the Eastern District of Louisiana, Holly Broussard, 44, of Shreveport, was indicted for conspiracy to commit health care fraud. She allegedly solicited orders for medically unnecessary respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) testing, bundled with COVID-19 tests, causing over $51.7 million in claims, with $28.4 million reimbursed. Dr. Christopher Whipple, 41, of New Orleans, was also indicted for health care fraud, accused of submitting at least $5.9 million in false claims to Medicare for care he did not provide, including billing for services while out of state or after patients had died.
Separately, the Louisiana State Attorney General’s Office announced arrests for Medicaid fraud. Jaquala Robertson, 36, and Kirstan Wells, 33, both of Hammond, were arrested for allegedly submitting false claims for personal care services for a child who was actually in a day care facility, totaling $5,532.95. Asha Clark, 23, of Mount Hermon, was arrested for submitting fraudulent claims for services not rendered while a Medicaid recipient was incarcerated, amounting to $6,610.79.
U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle said, “The charges announced today include some of the largest and most complex cases that the Department has prosecuted and reinforces the combined missions of the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and our law enforcement partners.” Louisiana State Attorney General Liz Murrill added, “Nothing is more offensive than those who manipulate the system for their own benefit.”
The Department of Justice recently created the National Fraud Enforcement Division, which is focused on investigating and prosecuting fraud against the American people. This effort supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance, aimed at eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. Authorities emphasized their continued commitment to vigorously investigate and prosecute alleged perpetrators of fraud.