Division of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at educating the public and providing vital reporting resources to individuals and families who may have been impacted by hospice fraud. This initiative includes a comprehensive suite of resources to empower individuals and families with the knowledge and support they need to protect themselves from hospice fraud. Its goal is to ensure that individuals and families understand their rights, recognize red flags in hospice care, and know where and how to report if they suspect fraudulent activity. 

“Hospice fraud exploits individuals at their most vulnerable moments — often targeting the elderly, the terminally ill, and those unfamiliar with the complexities of end-of-life care. From enrolling ineligible patients to billing for services never rendered, these unethical practices drain critical public resources and cause immeasurable harm to families,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Our message is simple: Hospice care should be about compassion, not corruption. This initiative builds on our ongoing efforts to protect patients and families and arm them with the knowledge they need to recognize and report fraudulent behavior.” 

Hospice care is specialized care for people who are terminally ill and nearing the end of their life. Instead of curative treatment for their illness, hospice focuses on making the patient as comfortable as possible in their last days. Hospice fraud occurs when hospice providers take advantage of the hospice system for financial gain. Hospice fraud has become an epidemic in California, specifically in the greater Los Angeles area, with a large concentration of hospice companies located in Van Nuys, Glendale, Burbank, and North Hollywood. This has become an alarming problem that goes against everything hospice care is meant to be — it can seriously harm patients and cost taxpayers through false billings to Medi-Cal.

California Department of Justice’s Hospice Fraud Initiative 

Building on its efforts to combat hospice fraud, the California Department of Justice’s new hospice fraud initiative aims to empower patients, families, law enforcement, and healthcare providers with the knowledge needed to recognize and report fraudulent practices in the hospice care system. The initiative includes: 

• Educational materials: Public service announcements and informational materials through billboards and radio spots across the Los Angeles area.
• Community forums and stakeholder engagement: Sessions led by California Department of Justice Division of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse’s legal experts to help law enforcement and healthcare professionals recognize and respond to hospice fraud. 
• Support services: A dedicated helpline and web portal for reporting suspected fraud and online resources and guides for patients and caregivers.  

Common Fraud Schemes

In recent years, there has been a huge increase in hospice fraud. Hospice fraud involves intentionally deceptive practices by hospice providers aimed at using the healthcare system for financial gain. These fraud schemes can include:

• Submitting false claims for services not rendered.
• Billing for services that are not medically necessary.
• Engaging in kickback schemes to receive patient referrals.
• Enrolling and billing for patients who do not meet the criteria for hospice care, including those who are not terminally ill.  

Recognizing the Signs of Hospice Fraud

If you or a loved one is receiving hospice care, here are some red flags that could signal fraud:

Little or No Care Is Actually Being Provided

• The patient isn’t getting regular visits from nurses, aides, or caregivers.
• The patient is not receiving medication, nutrition, or other promised services or equipment.
• Scheduled visits are missed often or happen at odd or inconsistent times.
• The hospice team rarely checks in or is hard to reach.

The Patient Doesn’t Seem That Sick

• The patient was signed up for hospice but doesn’t appear to have a life-limiting illness.
• The person can still do most of their usual daily activities with no major changes.
• There’s no clear diagnosis explaining why hospice was recommended.

No One Explained What Hospice Really Is

• The family or patient didn’t fully understand that hospice is for end-of-life care.
• Hospice services started without a clear referral or explanation from the patient’s regular doctor. 

You Were Offered Gifts or Incentives

• Someone offered you gift cards, groceries, or cash in exchange for signing up.
• The offer felt too good to be true or came from someone you didn’t know. 

Hospice Services Are Dragging on Without Updates

• The patient has been in hospice care longer than six months with no change or discussion.
• There’s no clear plan for care, and no one is talking about the next steps.

Something Feels Off

• The staff seem rushed, unprofessional, or poorly trained.
• You’re getting bills or Medi-Cal statements for services that don’t match what’s happening.
• You or your loved one feels pressured to stay enrolled, even if it doesn’t feel right.

Tips to Protect Against Hospice Fraud:

• Know the purpose: Hospice is for terminally ill patients nearing end of life.
• Check with your doctor: Always consult the patient’s regular doctor before agreeing to hospice.
• Watch for red flags: Avoid services offered without a referral, or providers offering incentives like gift cards.
• Ask questions: Legitimate hospice providers will be transparent about services and billing.
• Verify providers: Use licensed, accredited hospice services and check reviews. 
• Understand your benefits: Know what Medi-Cal or insurance covers to spot false charges.
• Keep records: Document all care and compare with insurance statements.
• Report fraud: Speak up if anything looks suspicious and report it right away.

To report suspected hospice fraud:

• Submit a Complaint Online at https://oag.ca.gov/dmfea/reporting
• Call the Attorney General's Division of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse Complaint Line Toll-free at: (800) 722-0432
• Send a Written Complaint by Mail:
  California Department of Justice
  Division of Medi-Cal Fraud Elder Abuse
  P.O. Box 944255
  Sacramento, CA 94244-2550

Since taking office, the Attorney General has filed criminal charges against 109 individuals with hospice fraud-related offenses and conducted 24 civil investigations, which resulted in multiple civil filings. To learn more, please click here.

For more information on hospice fraud please see our consumer alert here. You can also find a brochure in English here, and one in Spanish here. As part of this initiative California DOJ launched a billboard campaign, you can find an image of the billboard here. 

SAN FRANCISCO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today delivered remarks on California Department of Justice’s preparations to protect California’s values, people, and natural resources ahead of a second Trump Administration. To view a recording of the press conference, please visit here. 

Attorney General Bonta's Remarks as Prepared for Delivery:

As the reality of a second Trump Administration takes hold, I know there is a great deal of fear, sadness, anxiety, and panic. 

I understand. 

I’m here today to reassure you that in California, progress will prevail. 

No matter who is in the White House, no matter who holds control of Congress, in California we will keep moving forward. 

In California, we will choose calm over chaos. 

Fact over fiction.

Belonging over blame.

Unity over division. 

“Us and we” over “I and me.” 

It’s why we’re the 5th largest economy in the world. Not in spite of our commitment to workers, consumers, and the environment, because of it. 

Because we’re the largest and most diverse state in the nation.

Because we believe in the power of inclusivity.

Because we believe in truth over lies. Hope over hate. Light over dark.

Because  we believe in looking forward.

It’s who we are in the Golden State. It’s in our DNA. Nothing and no one can change that. 

As Attorney General, I’ll continue to use the full force of the law and authority of this office to address injustice. 

To stand up for all people, especially those who have long been overlooked and undervalued.

To safeguard reproductive rights. 

And advocate for more housing — especially more affordable housing for lower and middle-income families just trying to get by.

I’ll continue to take on greedy corporate giants and fight for more affordable gas, groceries, and everything in between.  

I’ll continue to defend our world-renowned natural resources and protect them for generations to come. 

Continue to fight for clean water to drink and clean air to breathe.

Continue to crack down on illicit guns on our streets and get fentanyl out of our neighborhoods. 

Continue to fight for workers.

I’ll continue to protect, defend, and serve every single Californian. No matter your politics. 

I’m here to ensure every person — no matter how they look, how much money they make, where they’re from, who they love, how they identify, or how they pray — can pursue their version of the California Dream. 

A fair wage and good benefits.  

A safe and affordable place to live.  

Affordable and accessible health care. 

Good schools to send our kids to. 

Safe neighborhoods to raise our families. 

That’s my promise to you, no matter who is in the White House.  

We’ve been here before.

We lived through Trump 1.0. 

We know what he’s capable of. 

We know what plans he has in store. 

The silver lining is just that: we know. 

We know to take Trump at his word when he says he’ll roll back environmental protections, go after our immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities, attack our civil rights, and restrict access to essential reproductive care.

Which means, we won’t be flat-footed come January.

You can be sure that as California Attorney General, if Trump attacks your rights: I’ll be there. 

If Trump comes after your freedoms: I’ll be there. 

If Trump jeopardizes your safety and well-being: I’ll be there.

California DOJ did it before and we’ll do it again.  

During the last Trump Administration, California DOJ fought to stop illegal rollbacks and proposals that would’ve harmed the well-being, health, safety, and civil rights of our people and of people across the country. 

That would have caused irrevocable damage to our environment.

No matter who is in charge of the federal government…

No matter what the incoming Administration has in store… California will remain the steadfast beacon of progress it has long been.  

A constant, unwavering, immoveable force to be reckoned with.  

We’ll continue to be a check on overreach and push back on abuse of power. 

Be the antidote to dangerous, extremist, hateful vitriol.

Be the blueprint of progress for the nation to look to.

Remember: in moments of chaos in D.C., you can always look to California for calm resolve. 

California leaders across the state are ready to stand arm-in-arm. 

Governor Newsom and every single Constitutional Officer;  

Senator Padilla and Senator-elect Schiff;  

Democratic members of Congress; 

Pro Tem McGuire, Speaker Rivas, and the California Legislature; 

Mayors, supervisors, and city councilmembers from San Francisco to San Diego are ready to fight for our California values. 

For our people. For our environment.

For progress and justice.

And as necessary, we’re ready to take on the challenges of a second Trump Administration — together.

While a great deal of change is on the horizon…

California’s path to progress remains full steam ahead.

It may not always be linear. Progress so rarely is. 

It zigs and zags. Takes frustrating detours. Inches forward and backward and forward again. 

The detours and setbacks don’t define our progress.

Our commitment to forward momentum defines our progress. Defines us. 

It’s what we do next that will define us. 

If you’re feeling despondent today, remember that you’re not alone. 

In California, we’re not looking back. We’re not moving back. 

We’re California! We’ll meet any challenges head on and rise to the occasion.

As is so often said, as California goes, so goes the nation.

In the days and months and years to come, all eyes will look west. 

In California, they’ll see: we’re still moving forward.

Thank you.