The government charged 243 people for Medicare fraud totaling $712 million in false billings. That is according to an announcement made on Thursday by Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell.

The charges came following a nationwide sweep led by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force in 17 districts. The charges include 46 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, "for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $712 million in false billings."