(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that Ohio's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit ranks first in the nation for the number of convictions secured in fiscal year 2015, according to a statistical summary of Medicaid fraud control units in all 50 states.
A total of 160 individuals were convicted following investigations by Ohio's unit, which is a division of the Ohio Attorney General's Health Care Fraud Section. Of the 160 defendants, 133 were convicted following fraud investigations and 27 were convicted in connection with abuse/neglect investigations.
The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of health care providers accused of defrauding the state's Medicaid program. In addition, the unit also enforces Ohio's Patient Abuse and Neglect Law, which protects the mentally and physically disabled and the elderly from neglect and abuse in Ohio's long-term care facilities.
"My office's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit works aggressively to investigate those who are defrauding the Medicaid system, diverting taxpayer dollars, and depriving residents of the care they need," said Attorney General DeWine. "I'm proud that Ohio leads the nation in the number of people being held accountable for these crimes and of my office’s work to protect Ohio’s families."
Convictions secured following investigations by Ohio's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in fiscal year 2015 include the convictions of three home health providers who, in a coordinated scheme, submitted claims for Medicaid reimbursement for services they were not providing. The three were ordered to pay more than $364,600 in restitution. Also convicted were four Muskingum County residents who stole or profited from money or jewelry taken from 17 elderly nursing home residents between 2012 and 2014.
California ranked second for their 115 convictions, and New York ranked third with 110 convictions in federal fiscal year 2015, according to the summary by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General.
Ohio's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit ranked second for the number of indictments and third for the number of investigations during the same time period.
Ohioans can report suspected Medicaid fraud or patient abuse/neglect or financial exploitation on the Ohio Attorney General's website or by calling 1-800-282-0515.
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