New Haven Woman, Personal Care Assistant, Charged With $65K In Medicaid Fraud: Chief State’s Attorney

NEW HAVEN, CT — A New Haven woman was charged with defrauding a Medicaid program that funds personal care assistants for people with "permanent, severe, and chronic disabilities." A PCA's work enables them to reside in their homes and remain in the community.

Vartaysha Reed, 26, was arrested on March 18 by Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigators in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney. She was charged with one count of Health Insurance Fraud, and one count of Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community.

According to the Chief State's Attorney, an investigationfound that Reed, who was employed as a Personal Care Assistant, submitted timesheets and was paid for services she did not provide.

"From May 24, 2024 through December 13, 2024, Reed was submitting time sheets claiming she was providing services to the recipient in their home, however, the investigation revealed that at various times within this period, the recipient was hospitalized and/or out of state," a news release reads. "Reed also continued to bill Medicaid for months after the recipient’s death and was paid $64,954.09 for the fraudulent claims."

Reed was released on a $50,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in New Haven Superior Court again on April 29.

From the Chief State's Attorney:

"The charges are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community and Health Insurance Fraud, are classified as B felonies and punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The case was investigated and will be prosecuted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The Unit is grateful for the assistance of the State Department of Social Services - Office of Quality Assurance and the Newington Police Department.

The Connecticut Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $2,612,588 for the fiscal year of October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $870,858 for the same fiscal year, is funded by the State of Connecticut.

Anyone with knowledge of suspected fraud or abuse in the public healthcare system is asked to contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney at (860) 258-5986."