How to report Medicare or Medicaid fraud in California
Where to report suspected Medicare or Medicaid fraud in California, what to gather first, and what happens after you file.
California Department of Justice, Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA)
Deadline
California's DMFEA takes reports on any timeline; there's no filing deadline for the complaint itself. But if the same facts could support a qui tam suit under California's False Claims Act, only the first relator to file on a given set of facts collects anything, so waiting costs you nothing at DMFEA and everything if someone else files first.
You report suspected Medi-Cal fraud or elder abuse to DMFEA through its online complaint form, which walks you through the victim's information, the provider involved, and what happened; you can also call, mail, or fax a written complaint instead, and you're allowed to file anonymously. DMFEA investigates and, where the facts support it, refers cases for criminal prosecution or civil recovery. Reporting to DMFEA by itself pays you nothing, but if your information becomes the basis of a qui tam suit under California's False Claims Act, a relator's share runs 15% to 33% of an intervened recovery and as high as 50% if the state declines to join, the widest range of any state on this site.
Gather this first
- The Medi-Cal recipient's name and Medi-Cal number, if you know it
- The provider's name, address, and type (doctor, IHSS caregiver, durable medical equipment supplier, etc.)
- Dates of the incident and a description of the suspected billing fraud, abuse, or neglect
- Supporting documents like billing statements, receipts, contracts, or photos
File a DMFEA fraud and abuse complaint or call 800-722-0432
A reward may apply through the qui tam False Claims Act program.
Facts last verified against official sources: 2026-07-04
After you report
- Your report is logged and an investigator reviews it. They may contact you for more detail or reach out to the provider or facility directly.
- Reporting here does not pay you on its own, but the same facts filed as a qui tam suit can pay a share of what the government recovers.
- You can usually ask to stay anonymous, and you do not need a lawyer to file the report itself.
Related guides
Back to federal options and other states
Not legal advice
GetSnitching explains programs and processes in plain English from official sources. Whistleblower and reporting decisions can carry real legal risk. For advice about your situation, talk to a licensed attorney. Many whistleblower attorneys offer free consultations.