Medicaid Provider Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud

LITTLE ROCK—Jane W. Duke, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced that Brighter Futures Behavioral, Inc. (“BFBI”), an Arkansas corporation and former Medicaid Provider in the Arkansas Medicaid Program, waived indictment and entered a guilty plea to an information today charging it with one count of health care fraud. The guilty plea was tendered through corporate representative Tony Burton on behalf of BFBI and was accepted by United States District Judge Susan Webber Wright.

The charge against BFBI stems from its participation in the Medicaid program Rehabilitative Services for Persons with Mental Illness, which is a program limited to certified providers who offer core mental health services for the treatment and prevention of mental disorders. According to the information, beginning in or about January 1, 2006 and continuing until on or about December 31, 2008, BFBI, through its employees and agents, submitted claims to Medicaid for services that were not provided and for services that were not properly documented.

As a result of the plea, BFBI faces a potential fine of up to $250,000. In addition, the company will be required to make mandatory restitution in the amount of $113,801.40 to the Arkansas Medicaid Program. As part of its plea agreement, BFBI agreed to enter into a transition plan with the Arkansas Medicaid Program to ensure the diligent and timely transfer of patients and patient records to new providers.

This investigation was conducted by the Little Rock Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General and Office of Audit Services, all in cooperation with the Arkansas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Laura G. Hoey represents the United States in this case.