DOJ Expands Health Care Fraud Strike Force to Massachusetts

On September 23, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced that the New England Health Care Fraud Strike Force will now work with federal prosecutors in Boston to combat healthcare fraud in the District of Massachusetts. The expansion will allow it “to accelerate the detection, investigation, and prosecution of complex fraud schemes” throughout the District by increasing the resources available to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts. This is an unprecedented development in Massachusetts, where the U.S. Attorney’s Office had in the past not bolstered its own healthcare fraud resources with Strike Force personnel.

The New England Strike Force is one of nine national Strike Forces operated by the Health Care Fraud Unit (HCFU) in the DOJ’s Fraud Section. Collectively, the strike forces operate in 27 federal districts and are housed across the country, including Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Chicago, Miami, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Nashville, and Washington, D.C. Known for its data-driven approach and subject matter expertise, the HCFU has charged over 5,800 defendants since 2007, involving more than $30 billion in fraudulent claims. The HCFU also expanded its efforts on corporate enforcement work in the healthcare space.

Launched in June 2022, the New England Strike Force initially focused its efforts on New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. It has since prosecuted a wide range of cases, including illegal prescribing by medical professionals (including what is believed to be the first of its kind prosecutions for unlawful distribution of opioids in the Districts of New Hampshire and Maine), telemedicine fraud, misbranding, and money laundering. The team also participated in DOJ’s largest-ever healthcare fraud takedown, including Operation Gold Rush, the coordinated takedown of an alleged international healthcare fraud ring responsible for the submission of over $10 billion in fraudulent claims for DME to Medicare.

With its expansion into Massachusetts, the Strike Force will continue leveraging advanced data analytics and drawing upon their expertise to prosecute fraud and seize assets. The Strike Force will partner with other federal agencies, including the FBI, HHS-OIG, FDA, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the IRS Criminal Investigation. At the local level, the Strike Force will also partner with state agencies, including the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of Massachusetts and the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts.

Given the history of the Strike Force model and its results, it’s fair to assume there will be a robust increase in healthcare fraud investigations and prosecutions across Massachusetts. With the increase in enforcement resources, legitimate providers and prescribers in Massachusetts are facing greater scrutiny than ever before. Providers, prescribers, and corporate entities should review their compliance programs and practices and remain vigilant of any issues or concerns with their practices.

Verrill’s Boston Office has a seasoned team of lawyers with extensive experience defending and advising participants in the healthcare industry in investigations and enforcement proceedings. These include Jay McCormack, a former member of one of the Health Care Fraud Strike Forces and former Acting U.S. Attorney in the District of New Hampshire. With personnel in place in Boston, Portland, and Westport, Connecticut, Verrill is well-positioned to assist all types of entities in the healthcare industry throughout New England and beyond with defense, regulatory advice, and advice on compliance and risk mitigation strategies. Feel free to contact one of the firm’s experienced lawyers if you have questions about this latest development or wish to discuss how your organization may prepare for what is expected to be increased federal enforcement activity.

Michael K. Fee, Boston, mfee@verrill-law.com

Jay McCormack, Boston, jmccormack@verrill-law.com

Annabel Rodriguez, Boston, arodriguez@verrill-law.com

Paul W. Shaw, Boston, pshaw@verrill-law.com

John W. Van Lonkhuyzen, Portland, ME, jvanlonkhuyzen@verrill-law.com

Calvin K. Woo, Westport, CT, cwoo@verrill-law.com