The operators of a former Winamac ambulance service have been ordered to pay almost $1 million in restitution, in connection with a health care fraud scheme. Jacqueline Jay Podell, 46, and Michael Wilson, 53, both of Winamac, were sentenced last week in U.S. District Court, according to U.S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch.
Continue reading
Pulaski County is sticking with its current health insurance provider, after all. The county commissioners voted last week to renew their contract with Bennett and Shepherd as-is, for another full year.
Continue reading
Pulaski County’s ambulance fees are going up. Last week, the county commissioners agreed to increase some of the fees the EMS Department charges private insurance carriers.
Continue readingFour people involved with a San Pierre ambulance service are among those facing criminal charges, following a nationwide crackdown on health care fraud. Edward T. Kerr Jr., Brenda Kerr, Mark K. Estrada, and Tammy Estrada are accused of submitting false claims to Medicare and Medicaid, leading to losses of over $100,000, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch. The four were believed to be involved in the operation of United Mobile Care.
A nationwide crackdown on health care fraud has led to charges against two people involved with a Winamac ambulance service. Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill says his office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit took part in 12 of those investigations in Indiana.
Pulaski County has agreed to repay over $34,000 to Medicare, following an audit of potential over-payments to the county’s EMS department. However, that’s a lot lower than what county officials initially thought it would be, according to County Attorney Kevin Tankersley.
Local community mental health centers have seen changes in leadership in the past few months. Last month, Four County Counseling Center officially named Carrie Cadwell as its new CEO. The non-profit group serves Pulaski, Fulton, Cass, and Miami counties, with its corporate office and inpatient unit in Logansport.
Pulaski Memorial Hospital is hoping to get a Rural Health Clinic designation for its Francesville nurse practitioner’s office. The Pulaski County Commissioners approved a resolution Monday authorizing the hospital to apply for the designation. Continue reading
Pulaski County should save some money in the future, after learning that Pulaski Memorial Hospital has likely been overcharging the Sheriff’s Department for years. Continue reading
Starke County EMS will soon be submitting all of its claims electronically. Office Manager Mary Lynn Richie is transitioning from paper to electronic claims filing due to changes in Medicare and Medicaid billing policies. Now that those are set up, she’s working with Blue Cross Blue Shield to set up electronic filing. Richie told the Starke County Commissioners Tuesday that company is the county’s next biggest payer. Continue reading
With yearly open enrollment now underway, Hoosiers with Medicare Part D or an Advantage Plan are being urged to take a fresh look at their coverage. According to AARP spokesman Seth Boffeli, during the enrollment period, it’s important that all beneficiaries review their plans.
“Just take a look at what their coverage is, think about if it’s meeting their needs. See if there might be something that might cost a little less but cover just as much – and make those decisions. So, it’s an important time for seniors,” Boffeli said.
“What we always tell them is to just hang up. Don’t give out any personal information. Medicare will never call you. ‘Cause that’s what they say – sometimes they say they’re from Medicare – they want to confirm their information,” said Stone.
