A Columbus, Ohio, physician and his clinic’s office manager have pleaded guilty in a scheme that defrauded Medicaid of more than $1.6 million, according to an Oct. 21 news release from Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson.
Patrick Muffley, MD, pleaded guilty Oct. 19 to felony theft and Medicaid fraud charges. Office manager Lisa Fillhart pleaded guilty the same day to Medicaid fraud and unlicensed practice of nursing. Dr. Muffley’s clinic, Embody Wellness Obstetrics and Gynecology, primarily provided addiction-management services.
From January 2021 through March 2026, Dr. Muffley and Ms. Fillhart submitted more than 27,000 claims for telehealth services that were never provided, many on dates when Dr. Muffley never logged into the telehealth portal, according to the release. Dr. Muffley falsified appointment records to support the claims, which cost Medicaid $1,645,052. Investigators also found that Ms. Fillhart presented herself as a nurse and gave medical advice without a nursing license.
Ms. Fillhart was sentenced to 12 months of community control. Dr. Muffley has agreed to pay restitution before his Jan. 14 sentencing. The Ohio Department of Medicaid suspended his provider agreement in September, and a notice on the clinic’s website says the practice will close in the coming weeks.
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