Fishers woman charged in Medicaid fraud case

Rokita

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has announced that his office has played a key role in a major nationwide enforcement action against doctors, nurses, and other licensed medical professionals for alleged participation in healthcare fraud schemes.

The Indiana Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has conducted multiple criminal investigations into alleged Medicaid fraud, leading to charges in connection with the nationwide initiative. As of June 23, eight cases have been filed in various counties.

The Indiana Attorney General’s MFCU investigated licensed healthcare professionals, medical offices, and providers where suspected illegal activity occurred.

Attorneys in Rokita’s office are prosecuting the alleged crimes with assent of the local prosecutors’ offices in the counties where the alleged crimes occurred. 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).

Below is the summary of one case involving a Fishers woman.

State v. Brandy Rifner, 48C05-2606-F6-001532

Brandy Rifner, 42, Fishers, was charged by a charging instrument with Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud or Deceit, a Level 6 Felony, and Furnishing False or Fraudulent Information, a Level 6 Felony, in connection with the alleged diversion of fentanyl, a controlled substance. As alleged in the charging instrument, Rifner allegedly diverted fentanyl and furnished false or fraudulent information or omitted information. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Kimberly Savoie of the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

* * *

Since taking office in January 2021, Attorney General Rokita’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) has secured more than $100 million in taxpayer funds lost to provider welfare fraud through nearly 100 separate civil and criminal recoveries.

“Medicaid exists to protect our most vulnerable Hoosiers – not to line the pockets of greedy providers,” AG Rokita said. “When unethical professionals steal from these programs, they don’t just commit fraud – they betray taxpayers and hurt the very people who need help most. My office will continue to partner with the Trump Administration and others to hunt down these criminals, recover every dollar possible, and ensure they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Note: The fact that a person has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and these individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.