DOJ takes Anthem to court over refusal to comply with Medicare Advantage fraud investigation

The Department of Justice is asking a court to force Anthem to turn over information related to an ongoing fraud investigation involving the insurer's Medicare Advantage plans that brought in nearly $215 million using retrospective chart reviews over a two-year period. Anthem, meanwhile, argues investigators are overstepping their authority by asking for information that is protected by attorney-client privilege and falls outside the scope of the DOJ’s probe. The legal spat may be a precursor to more substantial litigation as new court filings also reveal federal prosecutors may be close to filing a complaint against the insurer.