PSYCHIATRIST CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING MEDICAID

Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that Dr. Oparaugo Ihentuge Udebiuwa has been charged with defrauding the Medicaid program by billing Medicaid for services that were never provided. Udebiuwa, 46, of the 400 block of Central Avenue in Davidsonsville, Maryland is a licensed psychiatrist who was enrolled in the Medicaid Program as a Medicaid Provider.

Udebiuwa, whose practice was located on Park Heights Avenue in Baltimore City, was charged by the Baltimore City Grand Jury with seven counts of Felony Medicaid Fraud and with one count of Felony Theft from the Medicaid Program. Medicaid is a joint state and federal-funded program that provides health services to the indigent.

The case was referred to Attorney General Curran’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit from the Mental Hygiene Administration which administers mental health services for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. An indictment is an accusation based upon a finding of probable cause by the grand jury. All persons are considered innocent unless proven guilty. Felony Medicaid Fraud is punishable by up to five years in jail and a $100,000 fine. Felony Theft is punishable by up to 15 years in jail and a $25,000 fine. If convicted, Udebiuwa may also be ordered to pay restitution of up to three times the amount allegedly stolen from the Medicaid program.

An arraignment date is set for March 1, 2006 in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.