States News Service

August 30, 2012 Thursday

SCHUETTE CHARGES FATHER-DAUGHTER DUO WITH HEALTH CARE FRAUD COSTING TAXPAYERS OVER $273,000

BYLINE: States News Service

LENGTH: 575 words

DATELINE: LANSING, Mich.

The following information was released by the office of the Michigan Attorney General:
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette today announced 106 combined felony charges against a father-daughter duo who are accused of engaging in a health care fraud scheme costing taxpayers more than $273,000 after the cardiologist father had his medical license suspended for incompetence and began billing for patients as if they had been treated by his daughter – a psychiatrist.
“Medicaid fraud is an insult to taxpayers and threatens the integrity of health care coverage for Michigan citizens who need it most,” said Schuette. “We will continue to work with state and federal partners to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in taxpayer-funded health care programs.”
William Alt, 84, of Holland and Nan Beth Alt, 57, of Grandville have each been charged with the following in Ingham County 54B District Court:
One count of Conspiracy to commit Medicaid Fraud, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine;
One count of Conspiracy to commit Health Care Fraud, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine;
Seventeen counts of Medicaid Fraud-False Claim, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and a fine of $50,000; and
Thirty-four counts of Health Care Fraud-False Claim, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and a fine of $50,000.
In January 2009, Dr. William Alt, a Holland cardiologist, had his license to practice medicine suspended for “failure to exercise due care and incompetence.” His license remains suspended today. Despite having no valid medical license, William Alt continued to treat patients at his clinic. He was previously criminally prosecuted and convicted by the Ottawa County Prosecutor, Ron Frantz, in 2010 and 2012 for practicing without a license.
Schuette alleges that between December 2009 and December 2011 William Alt’s daughter, Dr. Nan Beth Alt, a Grandville psychiatrist, submitted claims for medical services provided by her father to Medicaid, Medicare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as her own. It is alleged payments were made to Dr. Nan Beth Alt by these insurance providers for the work done by William Alt while he had no valid medical license.
“Patients need to have confidence that the medical professionals who are providing their care possess a valid license and that the services they provide are appropriately billed,” said Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General – Chicago Region. “The OIG, in concert with our state and federal partners will continue to work to investigate allegations of this nature and ensure that the public has the confidence that they deserve.”
Dr. Nan Beth Alt was arrested this morning without incident by Attorney General Special Agents and Special Agents from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Arrangements are being made for William Alt to surrender to authorities. Both suspects are expected to be arraigned in the Ingham County 54B District Court in East Lansing this week.
The Attorney General’s Office investigated this case after a complaint was filed with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and was referred to the Attorney General’s Office for prosecution.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.