A Delaware County doctor has agreed to pay more than $1.6 million back after admitting to filing more than 27,000 fraudulent Medicaid claims.
Dr. Patrick Muffley, 56, of Lewis Center, pleaded guilty Oct. 19 to theft and Medicaid fraud charges in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
Lisa Fillhart, 61, of Lima, pleaded guilty the same day to Medicaid fraud and unlicensed practice of nursing.
According to the Ohio Attorney General's office, a tip from the Ohio Auditor of State's office led investigators to look at the billing activity for Muffley's clinic, Embody Wellness Obstetrics and Gynecology, 5957 Cleveland Ave.
The clinic provided addiction-management services
primarily, the AG's office said.
Between January 2021 and March 2026, Muffley and Fillhart filed more than 27,000 fraudulent Medicaid claims for telehealth visits and services that never occurred or were provided, the Attorney General's office said. Muffley was not logged into the telehealth portal on some days for which claims were being submitted.
Muffley also falsified his appointment records to help back up the fraudulent claims, the AG's office said. The total loss amounted to $1,645,052 in losses to Medicaid.
The Attorney General's office said Fillhart also represented herself to be a nurse and provided medical advice but did not have a license to practice nursing.
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Andy Miller sentenced Fillhart to a year of probation.
As part of his plea agreement, Muffley has agreed to pay full restitution to the Ohio Department of Medicaid before his sentencing hearing, which is currently scheduled for January.
Muffley's provider agreement with Medicaid was suspended in September, the Attorney General's office said.
Editor Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Delaware County doctor to pay $1.6M after admitting to Medicaid fraud
