Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement regarding the conviction of Pamela Townsend Bell, 59, of Judsonia on two counts of Medicaid Fraud, both Class C Felonies:
“Last week, Bell—the owner of I’m a 10 Wellness Center in Searcy—was convicted on two counts of felony Medicaid Fraud. She billed the State Medicaid Program for claims where unlicensed, uncredentialed social work interns provided therapy to her clients.
“I congratulate my office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit on their diligence to secure this conviction, particularly Special Agent Rhonda Swindle and Assistant Attorneys General Sharon Strong and David Jones. I also thank Sixth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones for his office’s assistance.
“Putting Arkansans at risk by using unlicensed, uncredentialed interns to provide treatment is unconscionable. Those who think about cutting corners like that to make a profit will be held accountable.”
Bell was sentenced to five years of probation, restitution in the amount of $11,765.62 to the Arkansas Medicaid Program Trust Fund and a fine in the amount of $23,531.24. She will be excluded from providing services to Medicaid beneficiaries in the future.
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