Medicaid Fraud Allegations Impact Autism Services
Recent allegations have surfaced regarding Medicaid fraud targeting applied behavioral analysis therapy for children with autism, which is understandably raising alarms among families. The issue of rising fraudulent billing practices was discussed by mother Lindsey Chaney and Kelsey Bennett from the Autism Families Alliance, highlighting the repercussions of such schemes.
A Texas mental health clinic owner, Kevin D. Curry, aged 64, was convicted by a federal jury for orchestrating a significant fraud scheme amounting to $26 million against the military’s healthcare program. Prosecutors claimed that some of the funds were used for extravagant purchases, including a gold-plated Tesla Cybertruck worth over $100,000.
Curry was found guilty on multiple counts of healthcare fraud, illegal kickbacks, and monetary transactions involving criminally obtained property, according to the Justice Department. He allegedly exploited TRICARE, a health program for military personnel, by billing for unnecessary transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, which, in many instances, was never even provided.
During the trial, it was revealed that Curry ran mental health clinics in Plano and Fort Worth, Texas, as well as Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He purportedly paid over $5.5 million in illegal kickbacks to encourage service members and their families to agree to TMS therapy for which they did not qualify, and often did not receive.
Evidence showed that Curry misrepresented himself as a medical doctor and misused the credentials of licensed physicians without their consent to submit claims to TRICARE. He also directed employees to create false medical records to support fraudulent billings.
In total, Curry’s clinics submitted over $26 million in fraudulent claims to TRICARE, which ended up paying around $17 million. Authorities stated that he laundered some of the proceeds to fund lavish hotel stays, a themed party, and the aforementioned gold-plated Tesla Cybertruck.
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald emphasized the severity of the situation, pointing out that Curry exploited a vital healthcare program meant for active military members and their families, misallocating taxpayer funds for personal luxuries. U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould criticized Curry for betraying the trust of service members and their families through fabricated medical records and identity theft.
Curry is set to receive sentencing at a date yet to be determined, facing a maximum of 10 years in prison for each of the nine charges. A federal district court judge will decide the final sentence based on various legal guidelines and factors.
