Worcester-based group adult foster care managers indicted for alleged $1.6M Medicaid fraud scheme

The managers of a Worcester-based group adult foster care company have been indicted in connection with an alleged $1.6 million Medicaid fraud scheme, according to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

Union Home Health Care Services’ managers were arrested on Thursday and charged with allegedly defrauding MassHealth of more than $1.6 million, Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s Office announced.

Worcester residents Bernice Codjia, 39, and Augustus Kormah, 66, were indicted by a Worcester County grand jury. Their company, Union Home Health Care Services, was also indicted.

Each defendant was charged with Medicaid false claims. Codjia and Home Health Care Services were also charged with larceny over $1,200.

Group adult foster care services help MassHealth members with performing daily life activities, such as eating, bathing, housekeeping and laundry.

Union Home Health Care Services and Codjia are accused of using fraudulent nursing assessments and forms to sign up MassHealth members, and billing MassHealth for group adult foster care services that had not been authorized by a registered nurse.

The AG’s Office also alleges that the company billed for services it never provided to MassHealth patients, including periods when those members were receiving treatment from different providers at inpatient facilities.

Codjia and Kormah have been ordered to surrender their passports. The judge also ordered that they not: travel out-of-state or internationally; bill or supervise billing to MassHealth; or own/hold a management role at any MassHealth provider.

They must stay away from and have no contact with former employees of Union and MassHealth members who were enrolled at Union.