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The federal grand jury has indicted the owner of a home healthcare company based in Missouri for defrauding the Missouri Medicaid Program and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The indictment alleges that the owner fraudulently obtained over $800,000 from these organizations.
Natavia Boyd-Wells, a 40-year-old individual, is currently facing charges of wire fraud and making false statements in relation to healthcare matters. Boyd-Wells is the owner of Touch of the Heart Home Health Care LLC, which became a part of the Missouri Medicaid Program and the Department of Veterans Affairs Community Care Network in 2020. The indictment alleges that Boyd-Wells knowingly submitted numerous fraudulent reimbursement claims to both agencies.
The Missouri Medicaid and Veterans Affairs programs provide funding for home healthcare services, allowing patients to stay at home instead of being admitted to long-term care facilities. According to the indictment, Boyd-Wells knowingly submitted fraudulent claims for services that were never actually rendered. This includes instances where patients were hospitalized and therefore unable to receive home healthcare.
Boyd-Wells is alleged to have engaged in fraudulent activity by submitting false electronic documentation in response to a 2022 Missouri Medicaid audit request. Moreover, she is accused of submitting claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs that included excessive care exceeding 24 hours in a single day for specific patients.
Boyd-Wells allegedly received a payment of $197,022 from Missouri Medicaid, while the Department of Veterans Affairs reimbursed her with over $600,000.
Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General emphasized the significance of the indictment, stating, “This indictment should send a clear message that the VA Office of Inspector General will vigorously investigate those who would seek to defraud VA healthcare programs.” He further expressed gratitude to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners for their dedicated efforts in conducting the investigation.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the Missouri Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit conducted an investigation into the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is responsible for prosecuting the case.
