Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressed his gratitude to Gov. Kevin Stitt for signing into law House Bill 3668, which enhances Medicaid fraud protections and helps protect elderly and vulnerable adults. The bill was signed on May 15, 2024 in Oklahoma City.
The measure increases the statute of limitations for the sexual abuse of vulnerable adults to 12 years, making it consistent with all other categories of sexual abuse. Prior to this change, the crime had to be reported within only three years.
"These updates to Oklahoma’s Medicaid fraud laws are needed to make certain we can protect our elderly and vulnerable adults, and Gov. Stitt deserves our gratitude for approving this new law," Drummond said. He also acknowledged Sen. Paul Rosino and Rep. Nicole Miller for authoring the legislation and advocating these additional protections.
Drummond pointed out that patients residing in a nursing home or with a caretaker may not have the cognitive ability necessary to convey abuse they have suffered, which can prolong the amount of time it takes to investigate and prosecute abusers.
Furthermore, the bill addresses a recent trend of small-dollar fraudulent Medicaid claims by classifying them as felony offenses. It also increases the penalty for failing to maintain Medicaid records to $10,000 or a fine of not more than three times the amount of payment claims. Punishment can now also include up to three years in prison.