US accuses health insurers, brokers of Medicare Advantage kickback scheme

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

BOSTON, May 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice accused three of the nation's largest health insurers of paying hundreds of millions of dollars in kickbacks to brokers in exchange for steering patients into the insurers' Medicare Advantage plans.

In a complaint, opens new tab filed in Boston federal court on Thursday, DOJ alleged that CVS Health's (CVS.N), opens new tab Aetna, Elevance Health (ELV.N), opens new tab and Humana (HUM.N), opens new tab engaged in a vast kickback scheme with insurance brokers eHealth(EHTH.O), opens new tab, GoHealth(GOCO.O), opens new tab and SelectQuote(SLQT.N), opens new tab from 2016 to 2021.

The lawsuit alleges the companies violated the False Claims Act, which prohibits submitting a false claim to the government for payment. The Justice Department is seeking unspecified damages and penalties.

CVS Health, Aetna's parent company, and Humana in separate statements said they would defend themselves vigorously. GoHealth said the Justice Department's case was "full of misrepresentations and inaccuracies."

-snip-

By Nate Raymond
May 1, 20254:44 PM EDT Updated 24 min ago


Read more: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/us-files-false-claims-complaint-against-three-health-insurers-2025-05-01/

---

Alternate link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-files-false-claims-complaint-184559921.html

________________________________________________

Related: The United States Files False Claims Act Complaint Against Three National Health Insurance Companies and Three Brokers Alleging Unlawful Kickbacks and Discrimination Against Disabled Americans (U.S. Department of Justice)

[hlthe2b]

1. One wonders how much of those "kickbacks" Dr. Oz might be reaping... Just sayin, surmising...

[vapor2]

12. I read where he has interests in NOW vitamins

so I no longer buy that brand

[Lovie777]

2. Of course.................

[AZJonnie]

3. This investigation must have started under Biden

Seriously doubt that IQ47 wants to punish any big corporations (potential donors) for operating some huge grift. Trump is the Lord God King of grifters, and has repeatedly shown he loves other grifters too (as long as they didn't rip him off) in the form of pardons. On top of that, Republicans love Medicare 'Advantage' cause it's private business making profits instead of the government working to break even.

I'd bet dollars to donuts that DoJ will do a shit job in this trial, and they will lose this case. And it will absolutely be by design, because Trump told them to. This is now how the 'US Department of Justice' operates.

[dweller]

4. They will do a shit job

Because they are inept at their jobs .


✌🏻

[Skittles]

8. ESPECIALLY since Project 2025 aims to make these "Advantage" scams the DEFAULT

when enough people are on it they will get rid of Medicare and the true cost of all those "freebies" will be revealed

[MayReasonRule]

5. The Pot Calling The Kettle Black... How Many Members Of Congress Made Millions From These Firms?

Inquiring minds would like to know...

[Iamscrewed]

6. Criminals

Are going to do crimes. FUCKING GROUNDHOG DAY AGAIN.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

7. I have gotten 5 calls today trying to sell me a medicare advantage plan on my home landline

I have do not call block on this line which is ignored by this assholes

[timms139]

11. Get them to tell you

who is calling each time and keep a record of each call and time and date. you can file and collect so much for each call . Would be great if you can record them .

[Martin68]

9. Medicare Advantage has always been a fraudulent healthcare scheme.

[vapor2]

13. Yes indeed

I tell my friends to go with TRADITIONAL MEDICARE

[johnnyplankton]

10. It also makes me wonder who ISN'T on the list...

Like UnitedHealthcare, who are total crooks