The False Claims Act (FCA) remains one of the government’s most powerful tools in combating healthcare fraud, with a growing focus on opioid-related cases and violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute.

As highlighted in our recent article for Law360 Healthcare Authority, these enforcement trends were a key topic in our 13th Annual Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Review, which examines the latest developments shaping FCA litigation.

A major takeaway from this year’s review is the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) increased use of the FCA to target pharmacies, hospitals, and other providers linked to opioid distribution. These cases demonstrate a clear shift in enforcement strategy, as the government continues to pursue Controlled Substances Act violations under the FCA framework. This trend presents significant legal and financial risks for healthcare entities involved in prescribing and dispensing controlled substances.

Beyond opioid-related cases, FCA enforcement remains robust across the healthcare industry, with a sustained focus on Anti-Kickback Statute violations. Whistleblower-driven lawsuits continue to allege improper physician compensation arrangements and referral practices, reinforcing the DOJ’s commitment to scrutinizing financial relationships in healthcare.

Our full analysis of these enforcement trends was published in Law360 Healthcare Authority and is available online (subscription required).

For a deeper dive into the findings from our 13th Annual Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Review, we invite you to join our complimentary webinar on March 20. This session will provide further insights into the evolving FCA landscape and what these developments mean for healthcare providers. Click here to register.