The Ensign Group, Inc. (ENSG) Investigation

The investigation is primarily focused on the propriety of Ensign’s disclosures about SNF acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and certain accounting matters.

In the past, Ensign repeatedly assured investors that “compliance and quality outcomes are precursors to outstanding financial performance” and “we strive to aggressively increase quality in every facility we acquire, and to adjust our overall policies to adapt to CMS’s changing criteria for the Five-Star Quality Rating System.”

But, on June 8, 2026, Hunterbrook published its report, contending in part that “Ensign’s profits can be traced to providing less care than its patients need – and less care than it is meant to provide based on the tax dollars it receives from the government.” In addition, the firm said that “[w]e found Ensign’s growth strategy is to buy struggling nursing homes – then cut staff at those facilities and bank the savings, all while claiming quality improves.”

Then, on June 11, 2026, Muddy Waters Research published its report, adding to Hunterbrook’s analysis. Muddy Waters sent investigators to 57 of Ensign’s SNFs and found “red flags consistent with rented” NHA licenses that enabled “Ensign to state the facilities have licensed Administrators when in fact these administrators are seldom on premise and do not substantively manage the facilities.”

The firm concluded that “this scheme, which could amount to fraud against states, Medicare, and Medicaid, is the pillar upon which Ensign’s acquisition strategy and margins is built[]” and “[u]nder the False Claims Act, if these practices have been in place for one year at ~20% of facilities, we estimate the violations carry theoretical sanctions in the billions of dollars.” 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CASE

What is the ENSG investigation about?

Our investigation is focused on whether the analysts’ allegations are accurate and, if so, whether Ensign may have misled investors about its business practices and accounting.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

I worked at ENSG. What should I do?

If you were an employee of ENSG, you may have valuable information that could be relevant to the investigation. Hagens Berman is one of the nation’s top whistleblower law firms, and has successfully represented many individuals who come forward with information regarding corporate malfeasance. Under the new SEC Whistleblower program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, contact Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or [email protected].

There are multiple law firms participating, do I need to contact all of them?

No, you do not need to contact all participating law firms. Generally, class-action investigations and lawsuits are consolidated into a single case to streamline the legal process, and attorneys from only a few law firms are selected to serve in a leadership role on the consolidated case. Hagens Berman has a proven track record of being appointed to leadership roles in complex, multidistrict litigation regarding investor fraud and other consumer rights issues, and your claim will be handled by attorneys who have helped secure approximately $325 billion in class-action settlements on behalf of individuals who have suffered due to corporate malfeasance and the wrongdoing of other powerful institutions.

AM I ELIGIBLE?

What is the threshold amount to be eligible? What are “substantial” losses?

The threshold amount and the definition of "substantial" losses may vary depending on a number of factors specific to the case, including the size of the company, market cap, shares outstanding and who holds them and the damages alleged by the fraud. In general, to be eligible to participate in a class-action lawsuit, you must be able to demonstrate that you suffered financial losses as a result of the alleged wrongdoing and that your losses meet the criteria set by the court or law firm. Fill out the form and submit your losses.

CAN I PARTICIPATE?

Am I affected? What do I need to do to participate?

If you were an investor in ENSG, you may be affected and eligible to participate in the case. To determine your eligibility and potential involvement, fill out the form and submit your losses.

Can any ENSG investor participate?

In most class-action investigations and cases, any investor who meets the eligibility criteria, including purchasing the shares during the relevant period, can participate, regardless of the size of their investment. Fill out the form to find out your rights.

I bought on a non-U.S. Exchange. Can I participate?

No. This investigation only covers shares bought on a U.S. exchange, i.e. NASDAQ or NYSE. Fill out the form to find out your rights.

Am I included if I still hold my shares, or do I need to sell to participate?

Participation is based on purchasing shares during the relevant period, rather than your current holdings. Accordingly, you do not need to sell to participate. Fill out the form to find out your rights.