Attorney General Curtis Hill announced Thursday that his office has participated in a major nationwide enforcement action against doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals for alleged participation in health care fraud schemes. The Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) played a key role in 12 criminal investigations that uncovered more than $200,000 in alleged Medicaid fraud, leading to charges against 14 individuals. Three of those cases involved individuals in and around Marion County.
These investigations are part of a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). According to these federal agencies, this national effort is the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action.
The Indiana Attorney General’s MFCU investigated licensed healthcare professionals and medical offices where suspected illegal activity occurred. Federal agencies involved in one or more of the investigations include the DEA, DOJ, FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).
“Medicaid fraud leaves in its wake many victims,” Hill said. “Any licensed providers who commit this offense are taking advantage of those for whom they are supposed to provide care, including the disabled and less fortunate who rely on Medicaid. In addition, they are also fleecing taxpayers whose hard-earned money is used to fund these programs. The investigators and lawyers in our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit are doing good work to help bring lawbreakers to justice. At the same time, we respect the due process to which all are entitled, and all those who stand accused of crimes are certainly presumed innocent until a court finds otherwise.”
Following are summations of three cases in which Indiana’s MFCU investigators participated in Marion and Hendricks counties. In each case, the fact that a person has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and these persons are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
- In Indianapolis, Aaron Amos allegedly billed the Indiana Medicaid Program for youth mentoring services he did not actually perform. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Amos with the felonies forgery, Medicaid fraud and theft.
- In Hendricks County, Licensed Practical Nurse Charolette Moody (aka Charolette Martin) allegedly forged timesheet documents for hours she did not work, which caused false claims to be submitted to the Indiana Medicaid Program. This activity allegedly occurred while she was employed by Maxim Healthcare Services. Moody also allegedly neglected a dependent minor whom she was being paid to provide care. Moody faces felony charges of forgery, neglect of a dependent and Medicaid fraud. Click here to see the charging documents.
- In Marion County, Dentist Kevin Welch allegedly changed and/or removed records after he became aware that authorities were investigating his billings to the Indiana Medicaid Program. He faces charges of obstruction of justice, a felony. Click here to see the charging documents.