Koster
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced on Tuesday that he has reached a $200,000 settlement with a pediatrician who allegedly improperly billed Medicaid.
Kennett-based pediatrician Teresita Manubay allegedly provided Medicaid with incorrect billing for services between Jan. 1, 2008-March 31, 2010.
The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the attorney general alleged that Manubay used incorrect visit procedure codes for preventive and routine well child checks, causing Medicaid payments of $65,018.49 for services that were never rendered.
"One of my top priorities as attorney general is fighting Medicaid fraud," Koster said. "The attorney general's office will continue to seek to recover money for Missouri taxpayers that has been fraudulently taken from the system."
Manubay acknowledged that she was previously warned about her erroneous billing practices by the Department of Social Services and that her billing procedures were inadequate.
Under the agreement, Manubay will pay $65,018.49 in restitution, a civil penalty of $130,036.98 and $5,000 for costs associated with the litigation.
She also made assurances that her billing in the future will be correct by hiring an independent M.D. practice auditor to review all Medicaid billings over the next year and a half.