Local woman accused of filing $14 million in false Medicaid claims

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A woman is accused of running a Medicaid fraud scheme that took millions of dollars in medical care away from North Carolina families who deserve it.

It involved many false claims to Medicaid and, experts said, ultimately the people who were hurt most were the ones who need assistance

Federal prosecutors said Ameera Ali submitted hundreds of fraudulent claims to Medicaid under the guise they were for juvenile beneficiaries.

[Woman pleads guilty to $2.5 million Medicaid fraud]

Court documents said a total of $14 million in claims were made, resulting in $8.6 million in fraudulent payments. According to prosecutors, Ali pocketed $330,000 for her role.

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services Director Peggy Eagan couldn't comment specifically on the case but said fraudulent Medicaid claims affect everyone.

“First of all, we are all taxpayers,” she said. “Medicaid is supported by our tax dollars, so the taxpayers lose first and foremost.”

According to prosecutors, Ali went as far as to recruit a licensed marriage and family therapist to provide mental health services.

Prosecutors said Ali knew the therapist wasn't allowed to provide those services under Medicaid regulations but submitted the claims anyway.

Eagan said if someone is defrauding Medicaid then the people who need the care are shorted.

“Not only is it a crime against taxpayers, but it is also a crime against our neediest neighbors,” Eagan said.

Prosecutors said Ali conspired with people who operate clinics that provide health services to at-risk youth throughout North Carolina.

Cox Media Group