In 2024, the False Claims Act (FCA) continued to serve as a cornerstone for the U.S. government’s efforts to combat fraud, with 558 settlements and judgments resulting in the recovery of over $2.9 billion.
While the number of cases was slightly fewer than the record set in 2023, the total collections confirm that the FCA remains one of the most powerful tools in rooting out fraudulent activity and ensuring the proper use of public funds.
The healthcare industry again emerged as the primary focus of FCA enforcement, with more than $1.67 billion recovered from sectors including managed care providers, hospitals, pharmacies, physicians, laboratories, and long-term acute care facilities.
This reflects the ongoing challenges in ensuring compliance and addressing fraud within the multi-billion-dollar healthcare system.
Other significant areas of focus in 2024 included government procurement fraud, pandemic fraud, and enforcement related to the government’s Cyber-Fraud Initiative.
The government’s heightened efforts to address fraud in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly involving relief programs, have been crucial in safeguarding taxpayer funds during a period of economic uncertainty.
Bradley’s Government Enforcement and Investigations Practice Group, in its thirteenth annual review, highlights key developments in the FCA landscape. The False Claims Act: 2024 Year in Review provides a detailed analysis of the significant FCA cases, trends, and the evolving strategies used by the government to address fraud.
This year’s review underscores the continued importance of the FCA in federal enforcement, especially with the increasing focus on cyber-related fraud and pandemic-related violations.
With whistleblowers remaining vital to uncovering fraudulent schemes, the government’s reliance on whistleblower suits continues to be a cornerstone of the FCA’s success in protecting public funds.
As the government ramps up enforcement efforts across multiple sectors, stakeholders are advised to remain vigilant in their compliance efforts, as the FCA’s broad scope and substantial penalties remain key deterrents against fraud.
