Camille S. Childress, 40, a St. Louis County business owner, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of defrauding Missouri Medicaid out of more than $3 million. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri announced that Childress faces four counts of health care fraud related to her ownership of the home healthcare company, Inspiring Angels LLC.
According to the indictment, Childress concealed her ownership of the company from state officials due to a criminal conviction in 2012. Instead, she allegedly submitted false paperwork claiming that another individual owned the company. This fraudulent act allowed her to continue operating the business while avoiding scrutiny from regulators.
The charges further assert that Childress submitted fraudulent claims to Missouri Medicaid for home healthcare services that were never provided to recipients. In some instances, the individuals listed as care recipients were reportedly in the hospital at the time, making it impossible for them to have received the services claimed. Additionally, the indictment alleges that Childress or her company submitted claims without providing necessary documentation or timesheets to support the supposed services.
Linda T. Hanley, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), commented on the case, stating, “The alleged fraudulent enrollment and submission of false claims by this business owner to Medicaid undermines the integrity of the program and diverts essential resources from those who genuinely need assistance.”
Hanley emphasized that HHS-OIG, in collaboration with the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, remains committed to combating fraud in home healthcare services and ensuring that Medicaid remains sustainable for those who truly rely on it.
It’s important to note that the charges in the indictment are accusations, and Camille S. Childress is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts to safeguard Medicaid resources and protect the integrity of government healthcare programs against fraudulent activity.