Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell confirmed that Felix Mercedes of Worcester pled guilty to leading a fraudulent Medicaid scheme. According to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, Mercedes used the personal information of the disabled, elderly, and unhoused to falsely bill for home health services, including MassHealth's PCA, HHA, and AFC programs.
Mercedes, who invited victims to stay in his home, targeted vulnerable community members. After gaining their trust, he and his accomplices billed MassHealth for over $500,000 in services that were never delivered. In a court date set for September 11, Mercedes stood before Worcester County Superior Court to enter his guilty plea on numerous charges, including Identity Fraud and Medicaid False Claims.
The fraudulent activity led to Mercedes being sentenced to 1-3 years in state prison and 5 years of probation, coupled with a directive to pay back $500,000 to the Commonwealth. "MassHealth serves our most vulnerable residents including our seniors, ensuring they have access to high-quality home healthcare services," AG Campbell stated. "As in this case and future matters, our Medicaid Fraud Division will continue to protect these taxpayer-funded programs and hold accountable those who intentionally seek to defraud our seniors and the MassHealth program."
Last week, echoing the seriousness of these offenses, a Randolph personal care attendant, following charges brought by the AGO, pleaded guilty in a related fraud case. In June 2025, there were multiple guilty pleas related to defrauding the PCA program, resulting in sentences ranging from one year of state prison to two years suspended in the House of Correction.
Handled by the AGO's Medicaid Fraud Division, Mercedes' case underscores a persistent devotion to prosecuting health care fraud. Substantial assistance was provided by several federal and state agencies, including the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the MassHealth program. The Massachusetts Medicaid Fraud Division's operations are supported by a significant federal grant, bolstering their capacity to investigate and prosecute similar instances of fraud.
