Bradford Woman Charged With Medicaid Fraud

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Created on Friday, 28 March 2014 19:32

Written by Tyler Dumont

BRADFORD - A Bradford woman has been charged with felony counts of Medicaid Fraud after she allegedly billed for care that was never provided to children and vulnerable adults.

Crystal Hathaway-Therrien, 30, of Bradford, was arraigned Tuesday on one felony count of Medicaid Fraud and one felony count of False Pretense.

According to the Vermont Attorney General's office, Hathaway-Therrien was enrolled, along with three others facing similar charges, as either caregivers or employers-of-record in Vermont’s Medicaid-funded Home and Community Based (HCBS) or Personal Care programs.

They were arraigned seperately this week in Vermont Superior Court in Windsor County.

The AG's office says that the individuals "are alleged to have submitted thirty-four fraudulent timesheets for almost two thousand hours of care that was not rendered, resulting in overpayments by the Vermont Medicaid program of approximately $18,000."

Court documents say Hathaway-Therrien was "the employer-of-record for a minor child enrolled in the Children’s Personal Care Services Medicaid program."

She allegedly submitted nine timesheets claiming to have provided 650 hours of personal care that was never actually provided. She also allegedly forged a caregiver's signature.

According to the AG's office, Hathaway-Therrien's false timesheets resulted in approximately $6,357 in overpayments by the Vermont Medicaid program.

She was released on conditions of conduct. If convicted, she could face up to ten years in prison and/or fines equal to twice the amount of payments wrongfully obtained.

Follow Tyler Dumont on Twitter @VCCJ_Tyler