Hartford Therapist Pleads Guilty To Fraud: State

HARTFORD, CT — A behavioral health clinician in Hartford pleaded guilty Thursday to defrauding Medicaid for services that were not rendered.

Alicia M. Thompkins, 42, of Hartford, pleaded guilty in Hartford Superior Court to one count of health insurance fraud, according to the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.

According to state officials, she billed the government insurance program for thousands of dollars she was not entitled to.

In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay $140,000 in restitution, authorities said.

By pleading guilty to the felony, the defendant is subject to mandatory exclusion as a health care provider to certain federally funded health programs.

Medicaid is a government program that provides health coverage to low-income and disabled individuals.

It is financed both by the federal and state governments and administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

An investigation by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney determined between 2018 and 2020, behavioral health service claims submitted by Thompkins were provided by unlicensed people, the state said.

Thompkins was billing as if she provided licensed qualified services herself, according to state officials.

According to authorities, Thompkins was utilizing one of her clients, and an unlicensed person, to perform behavioral health services to other clients.

Thompkins also billed for services while clients were inpatient and not receiving counseling and services that were not performed, according to the state.

Hartford Superior Court Judge David P. Gold sentenced Thompkins to a 3-year suspended jail sentence and five years of conditional discharge.

Along with the condition of restitution in the amount of $140,000, Thompkins was ordered not to act as a provider in the Medicaid Pprogram.

For the full statement from the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice, click on this link.

For more information on Thompkins' practice, click on this link.