Four arrested in alleged Medicaid fraud scheme

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9 talked to a victim of an alleged scheme to collect Medicaid funds by diagnosing patients as mentally ill.

The Attorney General's Office said that employees at A&S Quality Care billed Medicaid for treatment that patients didn't need.

Investigators said Teryl Atkins, Shirley Simmons, Keisha Carter and Kandida Michel have been arrested and charged with Medicaid fraud.

One victim, who didn't want to be identified, told Eyewitness News she was approached by the employees while walking to the store.

"I was in the parking lot of a grocery store and some people approached me asking me if I wanted an evaluation," the victim said.

According to authorities, the suspects also went to the parking lots of day cares and churches.

The victim said she filled out some paperwork and never heard back from the company. But an investigator with the Attorney General's Office later contacted her.

"When investigators said, 'Hey, these people claimed you were mentally ill. What did you make of that?' At first I thought it was a joke, but then it got serious," the victim said.

A&S Quality Care was allegedly making thousands off the unsuspecting patients. According to investigators, the group collected more than $45,000 for services never provided.

Authorities said they learned of the scheme after a disgruntled former employee tipped them off.

The investigation and arrests have left the victim with bigger concerns.

"It dampens my record. I don't know how I would be able to get that removed," the victim said.

Arrest reports also state the employees were given $25 for each potential victim they brought in.

WFTV