Barbara B. Witte, Health Care Fraud, Indiana 2023

A former Evansville mental health counselor has been sentenced for her role in a massive health care fraud scheme.

Barbara B. Witte, 74, was found guilty of felony health care fraud and sentenced to two years of federal probation by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young.

Witte, who operated B-One Counseling, billed health care benefit programs for services she never provided. Between January 2014 and July 2018, she submitted over 2,000 materially false and fraudulent claims to Medicaid and Medicare, resulting in a loss of $186,347.55.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney John Childress, health care fraud harms the entire healthcare system and those that need the care from it.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI, Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Attorney General, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.

Witte must pay $186,347.55 in restitution, as well as a $50,000 fine, within thirty days.

This case demonstrates the Office's enduring commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in fraud and abuse that harm the public and the healthcare system.

Witte's actions are a stark reminder of the consequences of exploiting federally funded health care programs.

As Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller noted, medical professionals are entrusted to provide only medically necessary services and bill for only for the services that they provide.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/former-evansville-mental-health-counselor-sentenced