WORTHINGTON - The state of Minnesota is seeking the maximum sentence for a Michigan woman accused of aiding in the unlawful reception of approximately $1.8 million in Medicaid funds while operating a health care agency in Worthington.
Remona L. Brown, 51, of East Lansing, Mich. faces 14 felony-level aiding and abetting theft by false representation in Nobles County District Court.
The complaint alleges that Brown aided Caring and Compassionate Healthcare Agency (CCHCA) LLC in unlawfully receiving $1,860,155.57 in Medicaid funds over a three-year period. The Medicaid-enrolled Private Duty Nursing (PDN) company, in which Brown was a co-owner, submitted claims for PDN services that were not provided by qualified individuals - and, in many cases, not provided at all - to six Medicaid recipients, the complaint details.
As outlined in the Medicaid program, PDN services must be provided by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, and the services are reimbursed at a higher rate than personal care assistant or home health aide services.
The complaint states that six individuals, whom Brown assessed as needing around-the-clock complex nursing services, did not receive the PDN services required. Instead, the complaint continues, Brown hired and allowed unqualified individuals to provide services to the recipients while billing them to the DHS as if provided by a qualified nurse. Brown also allegedly overbilled many PDN claims by submitting claims for more services other than those documented on employees’ timesheets, and without any documentation that those services were actually provided.
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The alleged victims are ages 54, 51, 42, 11 ,6 and 4. Claims were submitted on their behalf from October 2012 to December 2015.
CCHCA began operating in Okemos, Mich. in September 2010, and a second branch was opened in Worthington in 2011. Brown served as its manager and administrator, and was responsible for the Medicaid billing.
The state is seeking an aggravated sentence on the charges on the basis that the offenses were of major economic offense with multiple victims or multiple incidents per victims, a high degree of sophistication or planning that occurred over a lengthy period of time and Brown’s use of position or status to facilitate the offenses.
Brown’s first appearance, which was scheduled Tuesday in Nobles County District Court, was continued until Jan. 23.
The continuance, which is the second continuance on the case granted, was signed with the understanding that no more will be granted.
No mugshot was available for Brown.
