Misti Baker Medicaid Fraud

Misti Baker, 36, of West Rutland, Vermont, has been sentenced for her role in a healthcare fraud scheme that defrauded the State of Vermont’s Children’s Personal Care Services (CPCS) program out of thousands of dollars.

According to court records, Baker defrauded the program, which is jointly funded by federal and Vermont Medicaid dollars, between 2012 and 2015. The CPCS program is designed to provide supplemental assistance with self-care and activities of daily living to Medicaid-eligible children with significant disabilities or health conditions.

Baker’s scheme involved signing and submitting approximately 100 time sheets to Aris Solutions, a company that administered the CPCS program, falsely indicating that her three children had received CPCS program care. In reality, despite their eligibility, the children had not received the claimed care. Baker had Aris Solutions send the payment checks for the purported care giver to various addresses and Post Office boxes over which she had access.

The total amount of the fraudulent payments was approximately $77,306.57. Baker’s actions were a clear abuse of the system, and her sentence reflects the seriousness of her crimes. United States District Court Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford sentenced Baker to time served plus two years of supervised release and ordered her to pay $77,306.57 in restitution.

This case was the result of a thorough investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Boston Regional Office, and the Vermont Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan A. Ophardt and John J. Boscia, while the defendant was represented by Christopher L. Davis, Esq., of Langrock Sperry & Wool LLP.

The sentencing of Misti Baker serves as a reminder that healthcare fraud will not be tolerated and that those who engage in such activities will be held accountable. The CPCS program is an important resource for families in need, and it is essential that it is protected from individuals who would seek to exploit it for personal gain.

In addition to the financial restitution, Baker’s sentence also includes a period of supervised release, which will provide an opportunity for her to reflect on her actions and ensure that she does not engage in similar behavior in the future. The case against Misti Baker is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors who work tirelessly to combat healthcare fraud and protect the integrity of vital programs like the CPCS.