Indianapolis, Ind. -- On Thursday, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller filed a lawsuit against a Noble County chiropractor, seeking repayment of more than $90,000 in Medicaid overpayments.

“This individual provided health care without a valid license, posing a potential risk to patients,” Zoeller said. “Because he was paid public funds he was not eligible to receive, we are taking action to recover what taxpayers are owed.”

The lawsuit filed Thursday in Marion County Superior Court on behalf of the State of Indiana also seeks triple damages from the chiropractor and his practice, plus civil penalties of up to $5,000 per incident, plus investigative costs.

Named as defendants in the lawsuit are Dr. Michael T. Cox, DC, of Kendallville, Ind., and his practice, Limberlost Chiropractic Center, Inc., in nearby Rome City, Ind.

Medical professionals who serve as Medicaid providers sign an agreement with the state-and-federal health care program, stipulating that they will accept Medicaid reimbursement only while they maintain an active license and are eligible.

Thursday’s lawsuit alleges Cox submitted billings for treating Medicaid patients and received reimbursements for more than four years during a time frame when his chiropractic license had expired. The total overpayment was approximately $90,630.10.

Cox’s license to practice chiropractic medicine had expired July 1, 2002, because of an unpaid tax lien. Cox eventually got his license reinstated by the Indiana Board of Chiropractic Examiners on Sept. 7, 2006 when his tax lien was satisfied; and he currently is eligible to practice. But during that four-year window, Cox not only treated Medicaid patients but submitted bills and improperly received reimbursement. Doing so violates two Indiana statutes.

Overpayments to Cox were discovered in December 2006 by the firm serving as Medicaid contractor, Electronic Data Systems or EDS, which reported its suspicions about Cox’s Medicaid ineligibility to the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The Office of the Attorney General represents the State of Indiana in seeking to recoup the overpayments.

“This case is about ensuring public safety and good stewardship of taxpayer resources,” Zoeller added.

The case is assigned to Judge S.K. Reid in Marion County Superior Court, Civil Room 14. Deputy attorneys general Steven A. Hunt and Nicholas A. Gonzales filed the case along with Zoeller on behalf of the State.

Source: Office of Attorney General Greg Zoeller

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