Large-scale special operation in hospitals: police uncover medical fraud schemes worth 100 million hryvnias
21 March 00:56
The National Police of Ukraine conducted a large-scale special operation at medical facilities across the country and uncovered dozens of schemes involving the illegal misappropriation of budget funds allocated for patient treatment. The total amount of losses identified exceeds 100 million hryvnias. This was reported by the National Police press service, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
The schemes involved heads of medical facilities, medical directors, department heads, doctors, accountants, as well as local officials and affiliated private entities.
In a number of cases, these were organized groups that acted in a concerted and coordinated manner. Among those implicated are individuals who had previously carried out similar schemes. In particular, one of the organizers was involved in a case involving the embezzlement of 78 million hryvnias through the fictitious rehabilitation of patients at a sanatorium.
Large-scale special operation across Ukraine
As part of the first phase of the investigation, law enforcement officials conducted approximately 70 searches at medical facilities in various regions of Ukraine.
Based on the results of the investigative actions:
- 18 suspects were identified
- dozens of embezzlement schemes were documented
- financial documents and computer equipment were seized.
According to the investigation, the following were involved in the schemes:
- hospital administrators
- medical directors
- department heads
- doctors
- accountants
- local government officials
- representatives of private companies.
How the schemes worked
Law enforcement officials determined that the key tool for the fraud was interference with the electronic healthcare system.
Specifically, the suspects:
- inflated the number of patients
- created non-existent medical cases
- entered data on treatments that were not actually performed
- declared equipment that did not exist
- registered staff who did not work.
In this way, they received budget funds for services that were either not provided or were only partially performed.
What abuses were identified
The investigation identified various types of violations:
- falsely billing for palliative care
- misappropriation of funds for non-existent rehabilitation services
- fictitious neonatal cases
- illegal bonuses to management
- fictitious employment.
There were also cases where patients were forced to pay for services that had already been funded by the state.
What law enforcement seized
During the searches, the police seized:
- servers and computers
- access credentials to medical information systems
- financial documents
- seals
- bank cards
- cash.
What punishment do they face?
The 18 suspects are charged with:
- misappropriation and embezzlement of property (Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine),
- abuse of power or official position (Art. 364),
- official forgery (Art. 366),
- interference with automated systems (Art. 362),
- official negligence (Art. 367),
- as well as the legalization of proceeds obtained by criminal means (Article 209).
Penalties include up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
What is known about the investigation
Law enforcement officials note that the special operation is ongoing, and the number of suspects may increase.
The investigation concerns schemes involving the misuse of funds allocated under the state medical guarantee program for the treatment of Ukrainians.
