DOJ’s Fraud Division Launches Fast-Track Whistleblower Awards, With a Focus on Health Care Fraud
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a new whistleblower incentive program designed to accelerate fraud investigations by offering cash awards of $10,000 to $30,000 for tips that lead to criminal charges. Announced on October 20, 2026, the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program (WHIP) departs from traditional whistleblower programs by providing awards when criminal charges are filed, rather than waiting for the final resolution of a case. The Program targets federal health care offenses, related crimes, and fraud involving government programs and benefits administered by eight federal agencies.
The new Program reinforces DOJ’s emphasis on health care fraud enforcement. It follows the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s recent directive identifying health care fraud as its top enforcement priority, as well as a joint voluntary self-disclosure policy with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). Together, these initiatives suggest a coordinated approach to investigating and prosecuting fraud involving federal health care programs.
By rewarding whistleblowers at an earlier stage of criminal proceedings, DOJ is creating greater incentives for individuals to report suspected misconduct directly to the federal government. Click here to read the full post.
HHS-OIG Decertifies New York Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Escalating Federal Scrutiny of State Medicaid Fraud Enforcement
The Administration has taken another significant step in its effort to increase pressure on state Medicaid Fraud Control Units (“MFCUs”). On July 2, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) denied recertification of New York’s MFCU and suspended its federal funding effective July 1. The decision follows the Administration’s announcements earlier this year that it would closely scrutinize state MFCU performance, including through funding consequences for states perceived as failing to aggressively investigate and prosecute Medicaid fraud.
U.S. DOJ Announces Renewal of FCA Working Group
On July 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the renewal of the DOJ-HHS False Claims Act Working Group (Working Group), a partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that aims to strengthen use of the False Claims Act (FCA) to combat healthcare fraud. (more…)
