July 17 – Attorney General Scott Pruitt on Friday filed one felony count of each Medicaid fraud and identity theft against an Oklahoma City behavioral health specialist.
Timothy Nickalas Traylor, 35, of Oklahoma City, allegedly billed the Oklahoma Health Care Authority for 56 phony sessions between October 2011 and October 2013 while working for Pennington Creek Lifehouse, LLC.
Traylor simultaneously worked for the Oklahoma City Fire Department during this time, and allegedly caused Pennington Creek Lifehouse to submit reimbursements to the OHCA for sessions with patients that never occurred because he was on duty with the fire department.
The investigation was conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. If convicted, Traylor could face up to eight years in prison and fines greater than $110,000.
The AG’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is the only Oklahoma law enforcement agency dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of Medicaid fraud. The Unit also investigates and prosecutes abuse of residents in Medicaid-funded nursing homes and state facilities. To report suspected Medicaid fraud, contact the AG’s Office at (405) 522-2963.
All persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
SOURCE: Attorney General Scott Pruitt