A Delta County woman, Nicole Stouffer, 44, of Rock, Michigan, pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud after being charged in June 2023. According to the Department of Attorney General, Stouffer defrauded the state’s Home Help Program by submitting false claims totaling about $8,000 between November 2021 and August 2022.
Investigators said Stouffer listed a family member as her home help provider without their consent, leading to her exposure when the relative reported the fraud. “The Home Help Program provides essential support to help some of our most vulnerable remain in the comfort of their homes and avoid the need for costly long-term care facilities,” quoted Nessel, as reported by the Department of Attorney General.
A family member’s report that they never agreed to be Stouffer’s home help provider or received payment led to the exposure of Stouffer’s scheme. The Department of Attorney General stated that Dana Nessel remains focused on protecting community programs. Stouffer is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16 before Judge John B. Economopoulos of the 47th Circuit Court. The Department’s Health Care Fraud Division, which managed the case, prosecutes Medicaid fraud in Michigan and is funded primarily through a federal grant of $5,517,524 for fiscal year 2026, with the state providing the remaining $1,839,170.
