King County woman enters guilty plea in Medicaid Fraud case

Billed Medicaid for four months after client’s death
 
OLYMPIA — A King County woman entered a guilty plea today in Thurston County Superior Court after the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) charged her with First Degree theft and four other felony counts of Medicaid False Statement.
 
Naomi Uhi was a paid individual care provider for a Medicaid recipient. She continued to bill the Medicaid program for four months after the recipient passed away.  The state will be requesting a combination of community service hours and jail time, as well as full restitution of over $6,000.
 
Investigator Craig Brott uncovered the scheme and MFCU brought the charges. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2014.  
 
The Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of healthcare provider fraud committed against the state’s Medicaid program. In addition, the unit coordinates the investigation and prosecution of abuse and neglect involving vulnerable adults residing in Medicaid funded residential facilities with local law enforcement authorities through a statewide contact network.

• Report suspected Medicaid fraud: 1-800-562-6906 or send an email to HotTips@hca.wa.gov.
•  You can also report provider fraud via the Attorney General’s Office Web site.

The Department of Social and Health Services Office of Fraud & Accountability investigates client fraud.  You can report Medicaid Client Fraud via the Department’s Online Complaint Form, call the Welfare Fraud Hotline at 1-800-562-6906 or send the complaint to Welfare Fraud Hotline, P.O. Box 45817, Olympia, Washington 98504-5817.

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 The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the state of Washington with attorneys and staff in 27 divisions across the state providing legal services to roughly 200 state agencies, boards and commissions. Attorney General Bob Ferguson is working hard to protect consumers and seniors against fraud, keep our communities safe, protect our environment and stand up for our veterans. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
 
Contact:
•    Janelle Guthrie, Director of Communications
•    Alison Dempsey-Hall, Deputy Communications Director