Two Iowa health care cases are among hundreds announced nationwide as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, federal officials said Wednesday.
U.S. Attorney Leif Olson announced one criminal case and one civil enforcement action involving alleged health care fraud in Iowa. The nationwide operation charged 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, in schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in alleged false claims to federal health care programs.
Cedar Rapids Home Care Company Indicted
A federal grand jury indicted Hughes Home Care, Inc., doing business as Synergy Homecare, and its owner, Jacob Hughes, 35, of Cedar Rapids, on allegations they defrauded the Veterans Community Care Program of more than $350,000.
According to the indictment, the company allegedly billed for home health care services that were never provided to elderly and disabled veterans. Prosecutors also allege claims were submitted for services supposedly performed after a veteran had died.
Federal authorities further allege Hughes used proceeds from the scheme to pay sports gambling debts and other personal expenses.
Des Moines Medical Practice Faces Civil Lawsuit
In a separate civil case, Heartland Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, P.C., and its owner, Dr. Eugene J. Cherny of Des Moines, are accused of providing false pricing information to Medicare involving skin substitute products.
Federal prosecutors allege the inaccurate invoices caused Medicare to set higher reimbursement rates, resulting in Medicare and Tricare paying more than $2 million based on the alleged false information.
Nationwide Enforcement Effort
The Department of Justice said this year’s Health Care Fraud Takedown spans 56 federal districts and 45 states and territories, making it the largest coordinated enforcement effort of its kind. Investigators also seized more than $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets tied to alleged fraud schemes.
In addition to criminal charges, federal agencies suspended or revoked the billing privileges of more than 2,400 health care providers and announced dozens of civil settlements and administrative actions.
The Iowa investigations involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and other federal and state agencies.
Federal officials emphasized that the charges and civil complaint are allegations only. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa / U.S. Department of Justice.
