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Lashawn Denise Anthony, Medicaid Fraud, Alabama 2023
Montgomery, Alabama – Lashawn Denise Anthony, 41, of Wetumpka, has been arraigned on charges of stealing over $750,000 from Alabama Medicaid.
The indictment, filed in U.S. District Court, charges Anthony with 10 counts of health care fraud through her business, Youth Enhancement and Family Services, Inc. The non-profit corporation provides psychotherapy services to students and families as part of the Medicaid Program in Alabama.
Specifically, Anthony committed health care fraud by falsely billing claims as if a psychologist with a doctoral degree had actually provided services, when, in fact, the therapist who performed the service had only a master’s degree. This resulted in Anthony being paid more than she was legally owed.
Alabama Medicaid sent out billing instructions in July 2010 explaining how to bill Medicaid for services rendered by a person with a doctoral degree and how to bill for services provided by a person with only a master’s degree. Despite receiving these instructions, Anthony falsely billed Medicaid, thereby getting more money from Medicaid than she was legally due.
“The Medicaid Program is in place to provide health care for needy families,” said George L. Beck, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. “Anyone who fraudulently bills Medicaid drives up the cost of Medicaid, limiting the ability of the Alabama Medicaid Agency to provide medical care to those in need.”
Anthony faces a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of the health care fraud scheme, as well as a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the false statement counts.
Anthony’s case is set for trial in April and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bob Anderson and Denise Simpson.
Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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