TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a new initiative aimed at cracking down on fraud — Medicaid fraud, more specifically.
He discussed the crackdown on Friday in West Palm Beach, claiming that the move will strengthen oversight and potentially prevent fraud before it even happens.
“Today, we announced major actions to strengthen the integrity of Florida’s Medicaid program and crack down on fraud,” he stated. “In Florida, we work to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and that public programs serve the people they are intended to serve.”
Per DeSantis, Medicaid fraud has become a growing national concern, with major fraud investigations being reported in other states.
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In response, the Trump Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have reportedly called on states to increase their own oversight of the program.
“The Medicaid program exists to meet the health care needs of pregnant women, children, seniors, and some of our most vulnerable populations,” said Secretary Shevaun Harris of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. “Every dollar stolen through fraudulent schemes is one less dollar available to meet the needs of those who rely on the program most. That’s why we are working harder than ever to make sure the right people get the care they need, and everyone trying to exploit this program will be stopped.”
In Florida, we work to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and that public programs serve the people they are intended to serve. That means holding government accountable and rooting out fraud wherever it exists.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 12, 2026
With the Medicaid integrity initiative I announced… pic.twitter.com/jbRQNMrwTA
As part of Florida’s new Medicaid integrity initiative, state officials said the AHCA will do the following:
- Launch a pilot program with SentiLink — The AHCA will partner with fraud prevention platform SentiLink to strengthen provider screening and detect sophisticated fraud schemes, including stolen identities and hidden ownership structures, before tax dollars are lost.
- Implement enrollment moratoriums for high-risk provider categories — AHCA has imposed enrollment moratoriums on certain high-risk provider categories, including durable medical equipment suppliers and adult day care providers, while the agency strengthens screening procedures and oversight.
- Conduct a comprehensive statewide provide revalidation effort — All active Florida Medicaid providers will be required to revalidate their credentials and identities. Providers who fail to comply or do not meet program requirements will be removed from the Medicaid program.
- Enhance claims monitoring and enforcement efforts — AHCA will deploy additional tools to identify potentially fraudulent billing practices and work with state partners to support investigations, enforcement actions, and victim protection efforts.