Philadelphia: The Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division has announced a significant expansion of its Northeast Health Care Fraud Strike Force to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This move, aimed at intensifying efforts against Medicaid fraud, is a collaboration between the Division's Health Care Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The Health Care Strike Force model, recognized for its effectiveness, has been instrumental in prosecuting over 6,200 defendants nationwide, who collectively defrauded federal health care programs and private insurers of more than $45 billion. According to the United States Department of Justice, the announcement included criminal charges against 19 defendants, comprising owners and employees of home care companies. They are accused of participating in schemes involving over four million dollars in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Attorney General revealed a plea agreement wit h the final defendant in a previously charged case involving 21 defendants and over $1.7 million in claims. The Fraud Division's expansion into the Eastern District of Pennsylvania enhances federal resources in a region with a robust history of health care fraud enforcement. The partnership aims to tackle criminal activities masked behind corporate entities. Philadelphia, with its advanced health care technology and insurance sectors, serves as a prime venue for legal actions against unlawful corporate conduct. The Health Care Fraud Unit has recently expanded its focus on corporate accountability, with significant cases against companies engaged in systemic illegal conduct. Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald emphasized that home care funding is meant to support the elderly and vulnerable, not to fund fraudulent activities. The charges and Strike Force expansion send a strong message to fraudsters that the Department of Justice will use all available tools to protect Medicaid and essential programs . CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz highlighted that Medicaid fraud deprives vulnerable Americans of needed care and undermines public trust. CMS is committed to partnering with law enforcement to shut down scams and implement anti-fraud safeguards to protect Medicaid. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania underscored that home care fraud is widespread and affects all taxpayers. Today's announcement aims to expose the scale of fraud, with cases involving fraudulent claims for non-existent caregiving services. Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Philadelphia Field Office, noted that health care fraud is not victimless, as it diverts resources from those in need. The FBI and its partners are dedicated to uncovering and ending such schemes to safeguard public trust. The Fraud Division's expansion underscores its commitment to using all legal tools to prosecute offenses against taxpayers. The Strike Force and its partners in Pennsylvania are determined to hold acco untable those profiting at the expense of American taxpayers. Recent cases in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania have highlighted fraudsters exploiting Medicaid's home care funds. Coordinated investigations have led to charges against individuals involved in fraudulent claims. These cases demonstrate the effectiveness of federal and state efforts in catching and stopping even the boldest fraudsters.