A Georgia doctor faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for allegedly submitting false claims to Medicaid for purported group psychological therapy to dead people among other things, says Georgia Attorney General, Sam Olens.  According to a statement from the Georgia Attorney General’s office, Atlanta physician, Robert Williams allegedly submitted false claims to Medicare and Georgia Medicaid:

“Under his signature, thousands of claims were submitted to Medicare and Georgia Medicaid seeking reimbursement for group psychological therapy that Williams purportedly provided to beneficiaries at several nursing homes in the Atlanta area. A review of Williams’ claims, however, showed that in many cases he sought payment for services rendered to beneficiaries who were deceased or hospitalized at the time he purportedly rendered care at the nursing homes.”

According to the indictment, Dr. Williams sought over $2,000,000 for the alleged false claims. “Dr. Williams allegedly stole Medicaid funds that were specifically allocated for the care of some of Georgia’s most vulnerable citizens: the elderly,” said Olens. “Our office is committed to protecting Georgia taxpayers and the recipients of Medicaid by aggressively pursuing prosecutions of Medicaid fraud.”  Dr. Williams is presumed innocent and currently awaits trial.

The Georgia State False  Medicaid Claims Act carries stiff penalties for false claims to Medicaid and strong incentives and protections for whistleblowers who uncover healthcare fraud.   If you are aware of fraud against Medicaid or other state or federal healthcare programs, you may be entitled to a substantial reward; to report healthcare fraud, contact Frohsin & Barger.