FRANKFORT, KY. (Feb. 29, 2016) – Attorney General Andy Beshear announced on Monday, February 29, 2016, that the former operator of Bluegrass Autism in Danville has been indicted on two counts of Kentucky Medical Assistance Program Fraud over $10,000, a Class C felony, and one count of Kentucky Medical Assistance Program Fraud under $10,000, a Class D felony.
The case was handled by Beshear’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control.
The indictment alleges Edward Parker, 40, as a health services provider caused Medicaid providers who contracted with him to bill Medicaid for false claims. Because many of those services were false or were provided by his unqualified staff to adult and children patients, Parker caused fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicaid.
“To seek personal gain from health services to our most vulnerable citizens is very troubling,” Beshear said. “I take my role as Medicaid watchdog very seriously. As the Attorney General, I am committed to protecting our families and children and holding anyone accountable whose actions defraud not only the government but the people government serves.”
Parker, of Carmel, Indiana, was indicted Feb. 18 by a Boyle County Grand Jury. According to the indictment, the timeframe for Parker’s activity was Aug. 18, 2011 to Nov. 1, 2014. Parker was located in Indiana by the Carmel Police Department and the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Unit last week, and turned himself into to the Boyle County Sheriff’s Office Friday. His arraignment date has not been set.
If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of 5 to 10 years on each Class C felony count and 1 to 5 years on the Class D felony count.
This case was investigated by investigator Reed Wilbers with the AG’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse. Assistant Attorneys General Jesse Robbins and Jessica Williamson will prosecute the case in Boyle County Circuit Court.
Beshear said he appreciates the cooperation of the Boyle County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Richie Bottoms, the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities, the Office of the Inspector General in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the Boyle County Sheriff’s Office, the Carmel Police Department and the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Unit.
A charge is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control has recovered or been awarded more than $2.8 million for the state Medicaid program under Beshear. These recoveries represent lawsuits and settlements from pharmaceutical companies and individual providers. The Attorney General’s tip line for reporting allegations of Medicaid Fraud is 877-228-7384.
