Toledo firm told to repay $50,000 to Medicaid
Ambulette service can’t be solo job
6/20/2014COLUMBUS — A one-man ambulette operation can’t perform Medicaid transportation services that require two people, state Auditor Dave Yost said Thursday as he ordered a Toledo company to reimburse the federal and state health-insurance program of last resort more than $50,000 plus interest.
“The laws of Medicaid transport are similar to the laws of physics,” the Republican auditor said. “One man cannot drive the ambulette and provide attendant services in the back of it at the same time.”
The audit determined that Yama Transportation, owned and operated by Yussif M. Abdallah, owes the state $53,858 for services billed between Oct. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2011.
The audit found that Yama did not provide the “attendant” transportation services for which the company billed Medicaid. The rule defines “attendant” as someone other than the driver who is present to help transfer the Medicaid-covered recipient.
Because Yama had no other disclosed employees, it could not have provided those services in 1,447 cases for which it was paid $13,059, the audit determined.
Among other things the audit also noted a failure to supply documented medical reasons for transports and other required documentation.
According to the audit, the owner told the auditor he has taken steps with the Ohio Department of Medicaid to repay the reimbursements received in error and said he confirmed the medical necessity of every transport.