New York Attorney General Letitia James announced significant steps taken against Medicare fraud by transportation companies.

More than 50 medical transportation companies received cease and desist notices from the state attorney general’s office Wednesday instructing them to cease any alleged fraudulent Medicaid activity involving illegal billing schemes.

State Attorney General Letitia James said Wednesday that her office uncovered at least 55 transportation companies across the state have been billing Medicaid for non-existent rides, resulting in an estimated loss of tens of millions of dollars each year to New York taxpayers.

Notices went out to 54 companies across the state that the attorney general's office contends are defrauding Medicaid.