Florida is intensifying its efforts to combat fraud within Medicaid and other public assistance programs with the launch of a new Task Force on Public Assistance Fraud, announced by Attorney General James Uthmeier on April 15, 2026.

The multi-agency initiative — developed in partnership with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and other state partners — focuses on improving coordination between investigators and prosecutors, streamlining enforcement actions, and strengthening the state’s ability to pursue complex fraud cases.

State leaders, including AHCA Secretary Shevaun Harris, emphasized that fraud schemes targeting Medicaid and other benefit programs are becoming more sophisticated, coordinated, and difficult to detect. The Task Force is designed to address these risks by:

• Enhancing cross-agency collaboration
• Accelerating investigations and prosecutions
• Supporting multi-circuit cases involving complex fraud schemes
• Providing dedicated legal oversight through a statewide special prosecutor

While the initiative is aimed at bad actors, it has broader implications for compliant providers:

• Increased oversight and auditing activity may occur across Medicaid-funded services
• Greater emphasis on documentation accuracy, medical necessity, and billing integrity
• Continued scrutiny of referral relationships, payment arrangements, and operational practices
• Heightened expectations for internal compliance programs and oversight

Enforcement efforts will span administrative violations to criminal fraud, with potential penalties including fines, restitution, and prosecution.

This development mirrors activity at the federal level, where policymakers and enforcement agencies are increasing focus on program integrity across Medicare and Medicaid. Recent actions within the Trump administration and Congress signal continued movement toward stronger oversight, expanded fraud prevention tools, and greater accountability — particularly in areas involving high utilization, complex billing, and post-acute care services.

Bottom line: Providers should expect increased scrutiny and ensure their operations, documentation, and compliance practices are aligned accordingly.

HCAF will continue to monitor developments and keep members informed as implementation unfolds.

• Related News: James Uthmeier Establishes New Task Force to Root Out Medicaid Fraud, Other Pilfering of Public Funds (Florida Politics, 4/15/26)