Federal Charges Filed Against Colorado Men for Medicaid Fraud
Federal authorities announced several charges on Tuesday against two men from Colorado implicated in the theft of a program designed to offer free transportation to Medicaid patients. This marks the first criminal charges stemming from a significant fraud investigation that state officials discovered over two years ago.
The indictment claims that Ashley Marie Stevens and Wessam Yassin took part in the transportation program and fraudulently obtained rewards amounting to millions, with Yassin alone responsible for over $3.3 million, as reported by the Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Office. Both operated separate businesses and allegedly manufactured rides for appointments that never happened. Stevens is accused of billing her husband for his vehicle while he was in jail, while Yassin reportedly charged $165,000 for driving a patient who had already passed away.
Stevens, based in Mesa County, and Yassin, from Douglas County, face multiple charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, and health care fraud related to their operations. The program, which compensates drivers for transporting Medicaid patients to medical appointments, reportedly became a target for fraudulent activities during 2022 and 2023 when state officials increased reimbursement rates. According to state officials, an estimated $25 million was lost due to widespread fraud.
As of Tuesday night, Yassin’s indictment remained sealed. Federal authorities stated that between March 2022 and October 2023, Yassin billed Medicaid for rides that never occurred, amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Notably, she claimed $283,000 for services related to one patient, most of which was charged after the patient had died.
Reports indicate that Yassin utilized the proceeds to purchase a house, luxury cars, furniture, jewelry, and even cosmetic surgery. She was released on bail earlier this week, as noted in court records.
The indictment also reveals that Stevens sought over $1 million from the state from July 2022 to February 2023. More than $400,000 was reportedly derived from rides she provided for her family, with “very few” legitimate medical appointments. Those trips included picking up her husband and even claiming to take him to a doctor’s visit while he was incarcerated. Additionally, $150,000 was charged for rides that either never took place or were unrelated to Medicaid services.
Authorities claim she was compensated more than $450,000 for at least 400 miles driven. To put that into perspective, Colorado is about 380 miles from east to west. Stevens is alleged to have used the funds from this scheme to travel and buy luxury vehicles.
According to court documents, Stevens was already in custody at the Mesa County Jail when charges were filed against her in December and remains incarcerated.
Both Yassin and Stevens are the first drivers to face criminal charges for their alleged fraudulent activities within this program. State officials previously remarked that the scam was rampant in 2023, coinciding with an influx of new drivers who joined following increased reimbursement rates. These dishonest drivers were compensated per patient and per mile, often driving around filled with patients.
Some of the drivers targeted homeless individuals in cities like Pueblo and Colorado Springs, transporting them to methadone clinics in metropolitan Denver. There are claims that some of these patients were incentivized with cash or drugs. Kim Bimestefer, head of the state’s Office of Health Policy and Finance, informed lawmakers last month that the fraud scheme had reached a level “international” in scope.
