In a recent announcement, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has revealed indictments against two Norfolk County residents on charges of elder neglect, larceny from the state Medicaid program, and other related crimes. As reported on the AGO's website, Anne Marie Philippe, 48, and Sage Philippe, 55, of Milton face serious allegations involving the mistreatment of Sage's mother and fraudulent Medicaid billing. The AGO, in coordination with various agencies, is pursuing justice against these practices to ensure the safety and rights of the community's most vulnerable members.
The charges stem from a situation where Sage, as his mother's personal care attendant (PCA) surrogate, and his wife Anne Marie, were tasked to properly care for his elderly mother, Marie Philippe. Instead, the AGO asserts that they failed to do so adequately, leading to Marie sustaining severe malnutrition and developing multiple pressure ulcers. In April 2024, a visiting nurse's advice prompted Sage to finally seek hospital care for his mother, but tragically, she passed away two days later. This case has thrown light on the need to rigorously scrutinize caregiver activities, as the defendants allegedly consistently denied nurses proper access to Marie.
The Philppes' arraignment date is yet to be set, and while they stand accused, they are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The AGO suggested that from October 2023 through Marie’s death, Sage and Anne Marie prevented visiting nurses from sufficiently examining her and fraudulently billed MassHealth for over $96,000 in services never rendered. This revelation is part of a wider crackdown by the AGO's Medicaid Fraud Division on individuals taking advantage of the MassHealth PCA program, which provides vital services to help those with chronic disabilities maintain independence.
Prior cases also underscore the AGO's commitment to tackling similar crimes. In September 2025, a Worcester defendant pleaded guilty to a MassHealth fraud scheme, and in November 2024, three individuals were indicted in connection with the death of another elderly victim. These cases, as stated on the AGO's website, highlight the ongoing efforts to protect residents from exploitation and abuse, which has become all too common in an overstrained healthcare system.
Investigators from the AGO's Medicaid Fraud Division led the charge against the Philipes, with support from local and federal agencies. This division, annually certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is tasked to investigate healthcare providers who defraud Medicare and Medicaid. The people can report suspected Medicaid fraud or cases of neglect on the AGO's website, bolstering the community's role in safeguarding the well-being of the elderly and disabled individuals reliant on government-sponsored healthcare.
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