Thelma “Wendy” Epps was a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor providing services in Hartford, Conn., according to a Jan. 31 news release. She pleaded guilty to charges of healthcare fraud Nov. 8.
Ms. Epps was suspended from billing Medicaid in 2018 based on a “credible allegation of fraud,” the Justice Department said.
In 2019, Ms. Epps entered into an agreement with Dennis Tomczak, another substance use counselor, to bill Medicaid for psychotherapy services provided by Ms. Epps, according to the Justice Department. Ms. Epps paid a portion of these Medicaid claims to Mr. Tomczak, who received over $300,000 in payments for services Ms. Epps provided billed under his name.
According to the news release, Ms. Epps later reached an agreement with Shawn Tyson, another counselor, to bill for services she provided under his name. Mr. Tyson submitted claims for services he purportedly provided, and Ms. Epps submitted claims using Mr. Tyson’s Medicaid provider number for services she allegedly provided, the Justice Department said.
Mr. Tyson received more than $663,000 for false claims, the Justice Department said.
Ms. Epps was ordered to pay $1 million in restitution to Connecticut Medicaid in addition to her jail sentence. Mr. Tomczak and Mr. Tyson both pleaded guilty to related charges and are awaiting sentencing, according to the Justice Department.
