MEDICAID FRAUD CONTROL UNIT ARRESTS NEW ORLEANS WOMAN

BATON ROUGE — Attorney General Buddy Caldwell announced today that a New Orleans woman has been arrested for Medicaid fraud after illegally billing the Louisiana Medicaid Program for health-care services that were not performed.
Katrina Tyler, 41, of 4800 Crowder Blvd., was charged with a single count of Medicaid fraud after submitting false time sheets and service logs claiming she performed in-home care services for a Medicaid beneficiary. As a result of Tyler’s actions, the personal care agency where Tyler was employed billed Medicaid 25 times for services not rendered and was paid $2,122.68 by the Medicaid Program. She was arrested Monday by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigators with assistance from the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and was transported to the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for booking.
Tyler was working as a direct care service worker, hired by a Medicaid provider to care for physically handicapped or elderly Medicaid recipients. Direct care service workers provide caregiver services such as cooking, grooming and bathing.
If convicted of Medicaid fraud, Tyler could face up to five years in prison and pay up to $20,000 in fines.
To report suspected Medicaid fraud, contact the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at (888) 799-6885.