INDReporter

3 arrested for Medicaid fraud

by Leslie Turk

Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit this week arrested three personal care attendants on charges that include Medicaid fraud and false claims for providing medical services. Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit this week arrested three personal care attendants on charges that include Medicaid fraud and false claims for providing medical services.

Arrested were:
Christina M. Veillon, 39, of 1534 Fuselier Avenue in Basile. Veillon surrendered to Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigators and was booked on nine counts of Medicaid fraud and nine counts of filing false public records. A personal care attendant, she submitted time sheets stating that she provided caregiver services, such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing, to a Medicaid patient on the same dates and times the patient was actually receiving care at a Ville Platte hospital.

Shelly Brothers, 35, of 2617 Railroad Street in Basile. Brothers surrendered and was booked on one count of Medicaid fraud and one count of filing false public records. She too submitted time sheets claiming she provided caregiver services to a Medicaid patient on the same date and time the patient was actually receiving care at a Ville Platte hospital.

Melda Faul, 56, of 1048 Samuel Drive in Eunice. Faul also surrendered and was booked on two counts of Medicaid fraud and two counts of filing false public records. She indicated on timesheets and service logs that she provided care to a Medicaid recipient on the same dates and times the Medicaid recipient was actually receiving care at an Opelousas hospital.

Personal care attendants are hired by Medicaid providers to care for physically handicapped Medicaid recipients, according to Caldwell's office. The personal care attendants keep service logs and records of hours worked with each client and submit the hours to the Medicaid provider for payment. In turn, the Medicaid provider submits the hours to the Medicaid program for payment of services rendered.

To report suspected Medicaid fraud, please contact the AG's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at 225-326-6210.