2026 Medicare fraud crackdown across labs and hospices

Key developments

1. Aug 28, 2026

   CMS says its anti-fraud crackdown has blocked or recovered more than $1.6 billion in suspect Medicare lab payments since Trump returned to office, removing 157 labs.

   5 sources on this →
2. Aug 28, 2026

   A nationwide investigation uncovers about $3.5 billion in fraudulent hospice claims in Los Angeles County, with patients enrolled in hospice without consent.

   6 sources on this →
3. Aug 28, 2026

   California has revoked hundreds of hospice licenses since 2021 and enacted emergency regulations to tighten approvals amid the fraud crackdown.

   6 sources on this →

Coverage across the spectrum

Stories in this storyline

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Health

CMS Blocks $1.6B in Suspect Medicare Lab Payments

The CMS says its anti-fraud crackdown on Medicare laboratory payments has blocked or recovered more than $1.6 billion since Trump returned to office, removing 157 labs and halting hundreds of millions in potentially fraudulent claims through AI-driven review. The effort highlights high-profile cases, like labs billing for services never performed, and notes ongoing investigations and recoupments as part of a broader push against improper Medicare billing in 2026.

5 sources

Photo: Kampus Production / Wikimedia Commons (Pexels)

Health

LA Hospice Fraud Tops $3.5B Medicare

A nationwide crackdown reveals about $3.5 billion in fraudulent hospice claims in Los Angeles County, with victims like Linda Henry enrolled in hospice without consent, jeopardizing their regular care. California has revoked hundreds of hospice licenses since 2021 and enacted emergency regulations to tighten approvals as regulators confront rampant fraud targeting seniors.