The U.S. Department of Justice announced yesterday the formation of a new Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit. According to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the new unit, which is part of a pilot program, will utilize data analytics “to identify and prosecute individuals who are contributing” to the opioid epidemic. The Department will also fund additional prosecutors tasked specifically with investigating and prosecuting opioid-related health care fraud.

As expressed on Ice Miller’s Internet of Things (IoT) site, the proliferation of the Internet of Things creates unprecedented new uses for internet-enabled devices and heightens the demand for high-speed connectivity among residential and commercial users. One example of such uses is telemedicine and associated applications to monitor patients, personnel, and medical devices.

The investigation and prosecution of health care fraud will remain a priority for the Department of Justice (DOJ). In comments at an American Bar Association conference on health care fraud, the Acting Chief of the Criminal Division, Kenneth Blanco, said Attorney General Jeff Sessions “feels very strongly” about keeping health care fraud a priority. Blanco also said the investigation and prosecution of health care fraud will be “vigorous” under AG Sessions.