US Department of Justice Intervenes in Health Insurance Whistleblower Lawsuit Brought by Lieff Cabraser Against Centene Corporation

The Lieff Cabraser law firm represents a former employee.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On October 27, 2026, the United States sued one of the nation’s largest health insurance companies, Centene Corporation, for fraud under the False Claims Act. Lieff Cabraser’s Nashville Office is proud to represent the relator, who brought this matter to the government after internal complaints did not stop the alleged misconduct.

According to the government’s Complaint-in-Intervention, over a four-year period Centene took unlawful and anti-competitive shortcuts in its efforts to enroll beneficiaries in its Medicare Advantage managed care plans who were ineligible for enrollment. Rather than giving potential beneficiaries--in particular low-income and vulnerable individuals--full and accurate information, Centene enrolled people outside the permitted timetables, which deprived beneficiaries of the opportunity to compare Centene to other managed care plans.

Specifically, Centene enrolled beneficiaries pursuant to “Special Enrollment Period” exceptions that Centene knew did not apply. Exacerbating the harm, Centene is claimed to have made misleading promises about its plans’ coverage.

As Lieff Cabraser partner Rachel Geman notes, “Just as the government, taxpayers, and concerned whistleblowers are rightfully focused on what happens to beneficiaries once they are in a managed care plan, a key issue is how they got there in the first place. The government and beneficiaries have a right to expect a fair informational playing field, one devoid of alleged fraud about benefits and unlawful marketing. We thank the attorneys and others at the U.S. attorneys office of the Middle District of Tennessee for their investigation and thorough, detailed complaint.”

United States of Am. v. Centene Corp., 3:22-cv-00981 (M.D. Tenn.) (WDC), is brought by the U.S. Attorney’s office of the Middle District of Tennessee. Read a copy of the Complaint.