The office of Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced the arrest of a three people on charges of felony Medicaid fraud in what a release called a conspiracy to defraud the Arkansas Medicaid Program of nearly $17,000.

Robert Lee Miller, 47, and Robin Shuntell Morris, 25, both of Morrilton, and Tracey Denise Miller, 28, of West Memphis, were each arrested on one count of felony Medicaid fraud following an investigation by the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. According to a release from the AG’s office — which can be read on the jump — Robert Miller, who receives Medicaid, told the Medicaid program that Tracey Miller and Robin Morris were health-care attendants who helped him in his home. McDaniel’s office alleges that the women actually did no work, and turned over most of the money they received to Robert Miller, who is accused of filing fraudulent time sheets for their billable hours.

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Robert Miller was part of Medicaid’s “Independent Choices” program, which allows recipients to directly hire and employ home health assistants. The AG’s office said that Tracey Miller allegedly received checks from Medicaid from May 2009 to Jan. 2010, signing them over to Robert Miller in exchange for $50 cash per check. The AG said that Robin Morris was paid for services from March 2010 to January 2012. Robert Miller has been charged with a Class B felony. Morris and Tracey Miller have been charged with Class C felonies. 

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced today that a Medicaid beneficiary and two of his associates have been arrested for allegedly conspiring to defraud the Arkansas Medicaid Program of nearly $17,000.

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Robert Lee Miller, 47, and Robin Shuntell Morris, 25, both of Morrilton, and Tracey Denise Miller, 28, of West Memphis were each arrested for one count of felony Medicaid fraud following an investigation by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

The three are accused of a scheme in which Robert Miller, a Medicaid beneficiary, identified Morris and Tracey Miller as his personal health-care attendants, and the state Medicaid program was billed for their services. Though they did not perform the services, Morris and Tracey Miller received payment from Medicaid. They are accused of then turning over most of that money to Robert Miller, and, in several instances, Robert Miller is accused of fraudulently filing timesheets and directly taking the payments for himself.

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“Medicaid dollars are intended to meet the health-care needs of beneficiaries who need assistance, not be used in an underhanded scheme to steal taxpayer money,” McDaniel said. “Beneficiaries and providers alike should know that our office will investigate and arrest those who would attempt to commit Medicaid fraud.”

Robert Miller was part of Medicaid’s Independent Choices program, in which beneficiaries can directly employ attendants to assist them.

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Tracey Miller is alleged to have received checks from Medicaid from May 2009 to January 2010 and signed them over to Robert Miller. In return, Robert Miller paid her $50 per check, even though she performed no work. Robert Miller is accused of continuing to submit bills to the Medicaid program using Tracey Miller’s identification and name from February 2012 to March 2013.

According to investigators, Robin Morris was paid for services from March 2010 to January 2012, and although 21 checks were paid in her name, only two were signed and cashed by her. Timesheets for Morris were submitted by Robert Miller, with Miller signing both his and Morris’ name.

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Robert Miller was arrested for Class B felony Medicaid Fraud. He is accused of defrauding Medicaid of $16,869.01.

Morris and Tracey Miller are both accused of Class C felonies. Morris is alleged to have made $527 in fraudulent claims and Tracy Miller $1,632.08.

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Charges are merely accusations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.