Judge sentences woman for Medicaid fraud

By Steve Kanigher

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 | 1:55 a.m.

A Clark County District Court judge on Tuesday sentenced a woman to 12 to 34 months in jail for Medicaid fraud and ordered her to pay $125,000 in restitution, the Nevada Attorney General’s office announced.

Judge Michelle Leavitt issued the sentence to Patricia Caldwell, 48, who was also ordered to perform 40 hours of community service.

Caldwell was sentenced on two felony offenses of submission of false claims and a gross misdemeanor of failure to maintain adequate records.

The case was investigated and prosecuted by the attorney general’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

“Medicaid fraud victimizes all taxpayers, as well the individuals requiring Medicaid services,” Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said. “An important part of the prosecution of these crimes is the restitution penalty that returns funds to the Medicaid program. This helps ensure continued support of those in need of services.”

The investigation of Caldwell began after information was obtained that she, as owner of Fields of Wellness Homes, was not providing services to Medicaid recipients who resided there.

Caldwell was a Medicaid provider who enrolled Fields of Wellness under behavioral health outpatient treatment. Nevada Medicaid reimburses for community-based and inpatient mental health services for children and adults.

Interviews with Medicaid recipients and former employees of Fields of Wellness showed that Caldwell was not providing the services as indicated on claims submitted to Medicaid.

Caldwell and her staff allegedly provided behavior skills training and psychosocial rehabilitation services to Medicaid recipients. But the recipients denied receiving services, and many denied residing at or having any contact with Caldwell or the Fields of Wellness staff during times services were allegedly provided.