Fraud by program in Wisconsin
| Program | Announcements | More |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid | 13 | Wisconsin Medicaid cases |
| Medicare | 7 | All Medicare cases |
| PPP/EIDL | 5 | All PPP/EIDL cases |
| Social Security | 1 | All Social Security cases |
| SNAP | 1 | All SNAP cases |
| TRICARE | 1 | All TRICARE cases |
Where to report fraud in Wisconsin
| Type of fraud | Report to |
|---|---|
| Medicaid provider fraud | Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit (MFCEAU) · Wisconsin Department of Justice · 1-800-488-3780 |
| SNAP, child care assistance, cash assistance | DHS – Report Public Assistance Fraud (FoodShare, Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus, WIC; hotline 1-877-865-3432). Child care (Wisconsin Shares) and W-2 fraud go to DCF: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/reportfraud |
| Unemployment benefits | DWD – Report Unemployment Fraud |
| Medicare and other HHS programs | HHS-OIG · 1-800-HHS-TIPS |
| Any WHIP-covered federal program, if you want a reward | America.gov/fraud (how to submit) |
Whistleblower rewards in Wisconsin
| Program | What it pays | Law |
|---|---|---|
| False claims (medical assistance), attorney general action only; no qui tam Covers Medicaid / health care only | No whistleblower share. The qui tam statute (Wis. Stat. § 20.931) was eliminated by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55; § 49.485 lets only the attorney general sue | Wis. Stat. § 49.485 |
| Federal WHIP | $10,000–$30,000 per tip that leads to criminal charges | DOJ terms |
| Federal False Claims Act | 15–25% of the recovery if the government intervenes; 25–30% if not | 31 U.S.C. § 3730(d) |
Wisconsin law does not pay whistleblowers a share of state recoveries, so the federal programs are the main route to a reward.
The qui tam provision (s. 20.931) was eliminated by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55. Bills to restore it keep failing: AB 1186 (2023) and AB 1237 / SB 1086 (2025), with AB 1237 recorded 'Failed to pass pursuant to SJR 1' on 3/23/2026. HHS-OIG lists Wisconsin as 'Not Approved' (3/21/11; supplement 12/28/16). The AG may still sue under s. 49.485 (forfeiture $5,000–$10,000 plus treble damages).
Estimate federal awards for your case with the calculator, or compare programs in WHIP vs the False Claims Act.
Latest announcements
Source: U.S. Department of Justice press releases, classified by WHIP Reward. Each row is one press release; the same case can appear at several stages, so amounts should not be added. Charged cases are allegations. Search all 21 in the database.
Frequently asked questions
How do I report Medicaid fraud in Wisconsin?
Report provider fraud to the Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit (MFCEAU) (Wisconsin Department of Justice), or to the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS. To be eligible for a federal WHIP award, also submit the tip in writing at America.gov/fraud.
Does Wisconsin pay whistleblowers?
We did not find a general Wisconsin whistleblower reward law. Federal programs apply: WHIP pays $10,000–$30,000 per tip that leads to criminal charges, and the federal False Claims Act pays 15–30% of recoveries.
How many fraud cases has the DOJ announced in Wisconsin?
21 announcements since January 20, 2025 in our database, counting each press release separately (a case can appear at charge, plea and sentencing). 10 of them announced a sentence.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Justice: Whistleblower Rewards Program
- docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/49/iv/485
- docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/proposals/ab1237
- docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/ab1237
- docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2023/proposals/ab1186
- oig.hhs.gov/fraud/state-false-claims-act-reviews
- wisdoj.gov/Pages/PublicSafety/protecting-the-elderly.aspx
- wilenet.widoj.gov/mfcu/medicaid-fraud-control-and-elder-abuse-unit-faqs
- dhs.wisconsin.gov/fraud/index.htm
- dcf.wisconsin.gov/reportfraud
- dwd.wisconsin.gov/ui/fraud/report.htm
- U.S. Department of Justice press releases (justice.gov/news)