(Columbus, Ohio) – Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that a Cleveland woman must pay more than $20,000 in restitution to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) for her role in a fraudulent home health care billing case.
Alicia Mahone was sentenced in Franklin County Common Pleas court Wednesday to serve five years community control and repay $20,149.91. Over a period of several years, Mahone submitted fraudulent bills to ODJFS claiming to have worked 35 hours a week with a Medicaid recipient, while she actually only provided 15 hours of weekly care.
"Medicaid fraud is a serious issue," said Attorney General DeWine. "We are committed to going after those who are defrauding the health care system and billing for care that was not received."
Last month, a jury convicted Mahone on several felony theft charges after deliberating for less than an hour.
Members of the Attorney General's Health Care Fraud section said Mahone also submitted overlapping bills for several other Medicaid recipients in 2010 and 2011. The overlap meant it was impossible for her to have provided the services as claimed.
If Mahone violates the terms of her community control, she could go to jail for two and a half years.
The Attorney General's Health Care Fraud Section investigates and prosecutes health care providers who defraud the state's Medicaid program. The Section also investigates alleged misappropriations of patient funds and enforces Ohio laws protecting mentally or physically disabled or elderly citizens from financial exploitation, neglect and abuse in long-term care facilities.
Anyone who suspects Medicaid fraud or patient abuse or neglect can contact Attorney General DeWine's office at 800-282-0515 or www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
Media Contacts:
Lisa Peterson-Hackley: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840