Alicia Renee Hackett, a 33-year-old resident of Macomb County, has been formally charged with Medicaid fraud. She was arraigned in 54B District Court on multiple counts, including one count of Medicaid Fraud – Conspiracy and ten counts of Medicaid Fraud – False Claim, the charges were announced in a statement from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
The Medicaid program, designed to assist enrolled beneficiaries with travel expenses to medical appointments, was reportedly exploited by Hackett. She is accused of using an app to falsify her phone’s GPS data, claiming reimbursements for journeys she never made. This scheme involved the use of a smartphone application that tracks mileage, allowing for reimbursement upon the completion of a trip. But it's alleged that Hackett's manipulation of the app led to reimbursement for non-existent travel.
According to a statement by the Michigan Attorney General's Office, the emphasis was on the integrity of the Medicaid system and the importance of preserving its resources for those in genuine need. "The exploitation of technology intended to help some of our state’s most vulnerable residents access medical care is absolutely shameful," said Nessel. The Attorney General affirmed that combating fraud does not mean cutting care but requires holding the fraudsters accountable instead.
Hackett's arrest on Thursday was executed by the Clare County Sheriff’s Office, and her arraignment took place before Judge Lisa L. Babcock. The accused received a $50,000/10% bond and is scheduled for her next court appearance on June 18. The investigation that led to Hackett's charges was a cooperative effort between the Department of Attorney General and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. According to figures released, the Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division, which handled the case, operates with substantial federal funding, signaling the gravity with which such crimes are taken at both state and national levels.
