Medicaid Theft: Springs Speech Dr. Fraudulently Billed $1.2M: AG

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- A Colorado Springs-based speech pathologist was accused Tuesday of stealing more than $1.2 million from Medicaid in fraudulent billing. Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman's office filed charges against Tara Leigh Rose, owner of Beyond Words, LLC. Rose was charged with six counts of felony theft and six counts of felony computer crime.

The state's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigation alleged that of $2.1 million billed by Rose's company, 64 percent, or $1,281,885.41 in billings was fraudulently submitted via Medicaid claims.

“The Medicaid program provides over a million low-income Coloradans with vital medical coverage,” said Attorney General Coffman, in a statement. “Medicaid fraud steals from Colorado taxpayers and diverts limited healthcare resources from our vulnerable communities. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute any health care provider who engages in this type of criminal activity.”

In false billings, Rose allegedly received funds for "phantom" sessions with Medicaid clients that simply did not occur, the AG's office said. For the patients that Rose did see, she billed for treatments that were not provided during their sessions, the AG's office said.

An arrest warrant was issued for Rose, and she was taken into custody by local law enforcement after being involved in a car accident, the AG's office said.

About Medicaid fraud in Colorado:

The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of Medicaid provider fraud. The unit also investigates and prosecutes abuse of residents in Medicaid-funded nursing homes and state facilities. To report suspected Medicaid fraud or abuse, contact the AG’s Office at mfcu.investigations@coag.gov or (720) 508-6696.

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