IHS employee investigated, fired for Medicaid fraud

By STEPH TAHTINEN

Mt. Pleasant News

An Insight Human Services (IHS) employee has been terminated for committing Medicaid fraud.

?We self-reported it to the state, and the state was more than gracious,? Todd Meyer, IHS administrator, told the Henry County Board of Supervisors on Thursday. Meyer said the county will have to pay back about $1,100.

Meyer said that something had seemed suspicious with the employee so the department did an internal investigation.

?That was an interesting process,? said Meyer. The employee was found to be falsifying documentation, saying that they had worked until 5 p.m. when they really only worked until 4 p.m.

The department did not rehire for that position, instead choosing to move two part-time employees in to cut costs.

In other business, Joe Buffington, planning and zoning administrator, announced that the board of adjustment is searching for two new members after another member stepped down due to health purposes.

?I?m down two members, and they both need to be female for gender balance,? said Buffington. The five-member board currently consists of three male members.

Buffington explained that one of the new members could be from an incorporated area, but at least one has to be from a rural area.

Also, Emergency Management Coordinator Deb Goettig has put together a plan for the county in case of a disaster such as a tornado and if something happens to the courthouse.

?It just goes through the basic steps of what to do,? said Goettig. She explained that the plan is very basic, covering who is in charge and what steps should be taken in such a situation.

?I think it?s awesome she?s doing that for us,? said Shirley Wandling, county recorder.

The first part of the plan covers the entire county, and then each department has its own section for the specific needs for that department.

?It doesn?t name any names, it just says ?officials? or ?elected officials,?? said Goettig. The plan names the supervisors, auditor and emergency management coordinator as being in charge.

The plan has been given to the supervisors and the department heads for their input.

The supervisors also recognized Sheriff Allen Wittmer for 30 years of service as a county employee. Wittmer was presented a certificate by the supervisors.