The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced recoveries of more than $5.6 billion in False Claims Act settlements and judgments in fiscal year 2021. This amount is a staggering increase from the $2.2 billion recovered during fiscal year 2020 and the second-highest total ever recorded since the FCA was enacted in 1986.
Although a rebound from pandemic-related constraints may explain part of the substantial jump in recoveries, the near record-setting number also reflects the success of various recently implemented DOJ strategies, including using large-scale data mining and AI to identify high-value cases, a targeted approach in deciding when to intervene, and a focus on combating the opioid epidemic.
The healthcare industry continues to be the biggest target, with more than $5 billion, or close to 90 percent, of the awards relating to matters that involved drug and medical device manufacturers, managed care providers, hospitals, pharmacies, hospice organizations, laboratories, and physicians.