Medicaid Fraud Targets Autism Services

Allegations of Medicaid fraud are focusing on applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy services intended for children with autism, causing concern among affected families. Christina Coleman reports on the rise in fraudulent billing practices as mother Lindsey Chaney and Kelsey Bennett from the Autism Families Alliance discuss the impact of these illegal activities.

A Texas mental health clinic owner, Kevin D. Curry, has been convicted for orchestrating a $26 million scheme to defraud the military’s health program TRICARE. Prosecutors revealed that Curry, 64, from Frisco, used the ill-gotten gains for luxury purchases, including a gold-plated Tesla Cybertruck costing over $100,000.

Curry was found guilty in Fort Worth federal court on several charges, including health care fraud, offering illegal kickbacks, and engaging in transactions with illicit funds. According to the Justice Department, Curry exploited TRICARE, which serves active-duty servicemembers and their families, by billing for unnecessary or non-existent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapies.

Trial evidence showed that Curry owned clinics in Texas and Florida. Prosecutors stated he paid over $5.5 million in kickbacks to encourage servicemembers and their relatives to undergo unreceived or ineligible TMS therapy. Additionally, Curry falsely claimed to be a doctor and misused licensed doctors’ credentials for false claims.

Curry’s clinics submitted over $26 million in fraudulent claims to TRICARE, which resulted in approximately $17 million being paid out. He laundered these proceeds on lavish expenditures, including luxury hotel stays and parties. Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald condemned Curry’s actions, highlighting the betrayal of servicemembers’ trust for personal luxury.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould criticized Curry for exploiting servicemembers, veterans, and their families, fabricating medical records, and misappropriating doctors’ identities for fraudulent claims. Curry will face sentencing later and could receive up to 10 years in prison per count.