Medicaid Scam Alleged at a Milwaukee Health Facility

A Milwaukee health facility is under scrutiny over whether the repeated ordering of certain tests was really necessary.

 CBS 58's David Ade has been investigating how the government could get the money back.

Acacia Wellness Center, also known as Acaia Mental Health Clinic, is under scrutiny.

Prosecutors said in a 34 page suit filed in federal court the owner racked up million's in false Medicaid claims.

It names Acacia Mental Health Clinic  and its owner, Abe Freund, in the lawsuit.

It said Freund's policy included urine drug screenings tests for every visit regardless if a doctor thought it was needed.

After a few years, the clinic policy evolved and included filing inaccurate claims for more complicated urine tests bringing in more Medicaid money.

The complaint shows in 2011, Acacia filed less than $200,000 in fraudulent urine test claims.

The number grew every year and by 2014  it  was closing in on $3 million.

According to the complaint, Acacia billed Wisconsin Medicaid for vastly more urine drug screens than any other mental health provider in the state of Wisconsin.

Also, prosecutors said Acacia improperly billed Medicaid for video-based appointments with two doctors who said they were in Milwaukee, but were actually based in Israel.

A nurse practitioner filed a similar lawsuit back in 2013 that case is still going.

CBS 58 reached out for a comment from Acacia but has not received one.