AG's Office Announces Seven Medicaid Fraud Convictions

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced seven convictions tied to more than $133,000 in Medicaid fraud, highlighting what state officials say is an ongoing effort to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure care reaches those who need it most.

The cases involved a variety of schemes, including false timesheets, billing for services that were never provided, and claims submitted for patients who were hospitalized or even deceased.

Among the largest cases was a husband-and-wife team accused of enrolling family members in Medicaid-funded care without their knowledge and then claiming services had been provided. Another case involved a granddaughter who allegedly allowed false timesheets to be submitted while she was working another job.

Investigators also secured convictions against healthcare workers accused of falsifying patient records, billing Medicaid while holding an expired nursing license, and submitting claims for impossible visits. One home care business owner was convicted after billing for services allegedly provided to deceased patients.

In total, the seven cases resulted in court-ordered restitution, damages, and penalties totaling tens of thousands of dollars.

Hanaway said Medicaid fraud does more than cost taxpayers money. She said it can also take resources away from vulnerable patients who rely on the program for care. The attorney general vowed to continue investigating fraud and pursuing accountability for those who abuse the system.

The Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates allegations of fraud by Medicaid providers and cases involving abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation in Medicaid-funded facilities. The unit is funded through a combination of federal and state dollars.