The brother of a Hot Springs woman who was arrested for Medicaid fraud in November has been arrested on a similar charge, the Arkansas attorney general's office said in a news release on Friday.
James E. Heritage II, 36, who was in charge of billing for Little Bitty City Therapeutic Services, was charged in Pulaski County with one count of Medicaid fraud, a felony, the release said.
His sister, Tonashae Echols, 33, the therapy manager of Little Bitty City Therapeutic Services, was arrested in November for allegedly making false statements regarding her family's income in order to receive Medicaid benefits for her children, and billing Medicaid through the business for services provided to her children from November 2015 through July 2017. She has also been charged with one count of Medicaid fraud, the release said.
The release said that Heritage is accused of billing both private insurance companies and Medicaid for services not rendered.
"Heritage is accused of stealing from insurance providers and the Medicaid program, which is a safety net for many Arkansas," Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said in the release. "I will not tolerate this deceptive behavior from those who should be committed to helping children."
Heritage is accused of lying about services therapists were providing, the release said. Between Oct. 1, 2016, and April 30, 2017, Heritage billed Medicaid for 693 claims. That totaled $56,338.40.
"Medicaid fraud occurs when providers use the Medicaid program to obtain money to which they are not entitled," the release said.
Local on 12/08/2018