DOJ Reports FCA Settlements Exceeded $2.9 Billion in FY 2024

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that settlements and judgments under the False Claims Act (FCA) exceeded $2.9 billion for the fiscal year 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024. Healthcare fraud was a significant contributor, accounting for over $1.67 billion of this figure, reflecting the government's ongoing commitment to combat fraudulent activities in the healthcare sector. There were a record 558 FCA settlements and judgments, with whistleblowers filing 979 qui tam lawsuits, marking the highest filings in a single year.

Healthcare-related matters comprised about 58% of all recoveries, indicating a slight decrease from the previous fiscal year. The DOJ identified key enforcement priorities for FY 2024, specifically targeting issues related to the opioid crisis, unnecessary medical services, and Medicare Advantage fraud. Significant recoveries also included a national pharmacy chain's multimillion-dollar settlement for failures related to drug rebate reporting.

The article highlights the importance of compliance programs within the healthcare sector to address and mitigate potential FCA liabilities. The DOJ's focus on healthcare fraud underscores the necessity for entities within this space to actively engage in compliance reviews and adhere to government enforcement priorities. The forthcoming 2024 Healthcare Enforcement and Compliance Report will provide in-depth analysis on these developments and trends in enforcement as they relate to healthcare fraud.