Thursday, April 03, 2008
Kentucky Attorney General Conway Announces Indictments For Three Letcher County Therapists
Attorney General Jack Conway today announced that three Kentucky therapists from Letcher County have been indicted for Medicaid fraud.
Vanessa Rouse, a 35-year-old speech pathologist from Deane; Janice Fields, a 48-year-old developmental interventionist from Happy; and Tiffany Bentley, a 27-year-old physical therapist from Cromona, were indicted on Thursday, April 3.
According to the indictment, Rouse, Fields and Bentley fraudulently billed the Kentucky Medicaid Program for services provided to children in First Steps, a statewide early-intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities. During 2006 and 2007, the therapists allegedly billed the state for services that were not provided to children. Rouse and Fields face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Bentley faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
“I appreciate the hard work and dedication of our investigators that resulted in these indictments,” General Conway said. “Providers across the Commonwealth must understand that if they try to cheat the system and steal from taxpayers, they will be prosecuted.”
Rouse is charged with eight counts of Medicaid fraud; Fields is charged with four counts of Medicaid fraud and Bentley is charged with two counts of Medicaid fraud. The three are scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, April 7 in Jefferson Circuit Court Division. The therapists were indicted in Jefferson County because that is where the Medicaid billing was submitted for review and payment.
The indictment was sought by Attorney General Conway’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control. Citizens are urged to report suspected fraud or elder abuse by calling the Attorney General’s tip line at 1-877-ABUSE TIP (1-877-228-7384).
Vanessa Rouse, a 35-year-old speech pathologist from Deane; Janice Fields, a 48-year-old developmental interventionist from Happy; and Tiffany Bentley, a 27-year-old physical therapist from Cromona, were indicted on Thursday, April 3.
According to the indictment, Rouse, Fields and Bentley fraudulently billed the Kentucky Medicaid Program for services provided to children in First Steps, a statewide early-intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities. During 2006 and 2007, the therapists allegedly billed the state for services that were not provided to children. Rouse and Fields face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Bentley faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
“I appreciate the hard work and dedication of our investigators that resulted in these indictments,” General Conway said. “Providers across the Commonwealth must understand that if they try to cheat the system and steal from taxpayers, they will be prosecuted.”
Rouse is charged with eight counts of Medicaid fraud; Fields is charged with four counts of Medicaid fraud and Bentley is charged with two counts of Medicaid fraud. The three are scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, April 7 in Jefferson Circuit Court Division. The therapists were indicted in Jefferson County because that is where the Medicaid billing was submitted for review and payment.
The indictment was sought by Attorney General Conway’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control. Citizens are urged to report suspected fraud or elder abuse by calling the Attorney General’s tip line at 1-877-ABUSE TIP (1-877-228-7384).
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 2:39 PM 
