Worcester News

Pair from Worcester indicted for Medicaid fraud

  • Posted by Worcester News November 17, 2023 - Filed in News - #Worcester  #Union Home Health Care Services  #Bernice Codjia  #Augustus Korma  - 3,497 views

    Worcester County Courthouse (mass.gov)

    WORCESTER — Executives of Union Home Health Care Services, along with the company itself, have been indicted on charges of defrauding Medicaid of over $1.6 million, as announced by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

    The Worcester County Grand Jury brought charges against Bernice Codjia, 39, and Augustus Kormah, 66, both from Worcester.

    They face accusations under the Medicaid False Claims Act, and Codjia is additionally charged with larceny over $1,200. The indictment came down on November 15th following allegations that their company received payments from MassHealth for unprovided services, unauthorized by medical professionals, and based on counterfeit documentation.

    MassHealth's Group Adult Foster Care program, designed to aid the elderly and disabled to live independently, became the target of the alleged fraudulent activities. According to the Attorney General's Office, Union Home Health Care, primarily under Codjia's management, submitted falsified nursing assessments to enroll members and subsequently billed for services never rendered, including during times when patients were hospitalized elsewhere.

    Following their arraignment, stringent conditions were set for both Codjia and Kormah, including the surrender of their passports, a prohibition on travel outside Massachusetts or abroad, and a ban on any billing or supervisory billing roles related to MassHealth. They are also barred from holding management positions in any MassHealth-affiliated entity and are ordered to avoid contact with Union's former employees and any MassHealth members who were enrolled with the company.

    The case underscores the ongoing vigilance required to protect healthcare programs from fraudulent exploitation. The investigation continues as the judicial process moves forward with the defendants now awaiting trial.

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