National Health Care Fraud Takedown results in dozens of indictments in Arizona

Dozens of defendants are facing federal and state charges in Arizona as part of the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.

On Tuesday, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced cases against four defendants accused in schemes totaling over $1.2 billion that targeted Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs.

The next day, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office revealed indictments against 42 defendants in 10 more cases.

“These 42 indictments — spanning fraudulent billing, drug diversion, unlicensed medical practice and the abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults — show how tirelessly my office works to hold bad actors accountable,” Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a press release Wednesday. “We will not stop until those who exploit our healthcare system are brought to justice.”

Next month, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), the state’s Medicaid program, will deploy a tool powered by artificial intelligence to detect fraud.

2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown cases involve $6.5B in fraud

Nationwide, the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown resulted in charges against 455 defendants for schemes involving over $6.5 billion in fraud, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

“The billions of dollars of fraud highlighted in today’s announcement should shock and anger every American,” District of Arizona U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine said in a press release Tuesday. “We must protect our valuable federal healthcare programs from exploitation by criminals. The message from the success of this takedown is clear: The United States government will protect taxpayer dollars and will prosecute those who seek to defraud our country.”

Healthcare fraud has been a long-running Justice Department priority. The Trump administration has made a point of emphasizing enforcement over the last year, including through the appointment of a new assistant attorney general, Colin McDonald, to help oversee healthcare fraud prosecutions.

“Today’s cases allege more than the theft of taxpayer dollars. Many allege the theft of human dignity,” McDonald said at Tuesday’s news conference announcing this year’s crackdown, which covers cases charged or unsealed since June 8. “Our sick, needy and elderly placing their faith in the gift of medicine were neglected, ignored and used for personal profit.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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