Submission and approval of false timesheets resulted in losses to state
Attorney General Andy Beshear and his Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse today announced two Graves County women have been indicted for allegedly submitting and approving false timesheets that defrauded the state Medicaid program. Last week, a Graves County grand jury indicted Kelli L. Frazier, 44, and Anna M. Pritchett, 55, both of Mayfield, each on one count of Kentucky Medical Assistance Program fraud, a Class D felony, and one count of theft by deception over $500, a Class D felony. A Graves County judge signed the indictments Wednesday. Frazier allegedly submitted timesheets and billed for Consumer Directed Option program services, currently known as Participant Directed Services, which she did not provide. The program allows qualifying Medicaid members to receive non-medical services, like personal care and non-specialized respite care, in their home. Frazier claimed to have provided services for times when she was working at other employment. Pritchett, as the employer, signed off on and approved the times Frazier claimed to have worked. If convicted, Pritchett and Frazier each face a potential sentence of one to five years. “I take my role as Medicaid watchdog very seriously,” Beshear said. “My office and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding accountable those who seek to defraud a program that provides vital health care services to many Kentucky families and seniors.” Arraignment is scheduled for July 1, 2019, in Graves County Circuit Court. This case was investigated by the Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse of the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, the Graves County Sheriff’s Office and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of the Inspector General. A charge is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Through civil settlements and criminal restitution, Attorney General Beshear and his Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse have recovered nearly $98 million in obligations to state and federal Medicaid programs, Medicare, Tricare, commercial payers and other entities. Over the past three years, the office’s work has contributed to more than 60 convictions for Medicaid provider fraud or patient abuse, neglect and exploitation. To report allegations of Medicaid provider fraud contact the Office of the Attorney General’s tip line at 877-228-7384.