Great Lakes Wire

A couple from Niles, Michigan, has admitted to charges of Medicaid fraud in a case involving their counseling practice. Gregory Barney and his wife, Jacquelyn Barney, pled guilty to two counts each of Medicaid Fraud – False Claim in the Ingham County Circuit Court. The charges are classified as four-year felonies. As part of their plea agreement, the Barneys will pay over $48,000 in restitution to the Medicaid program.

Gregory Barney is a licensed marriage and family counselor who owns Highland Counseling Center in Niles. His wife manages the office and handles billing for the business. An investigation by the Department of Attorney General revealed that Jacquelyn Barney billed Medicaid for counseling sessions that were never provided by her husband or Highland Counseling Center. She allegedly obtained patient information from another medical office where she worked as a biller.

During the investigation, clients reported they had no knowledge of Gregory Barney or any counseling services provided by him. "My office takes instances of Medicaid fraud very seriously," stated Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. "Charging a practitioner underscores our commitment to protecting the integrity of the Medicaid program and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used appropriately."

The couple was initially charged in September 2021 in Ingham County's 54B District Court and arraigned before Judge Richard Ball in October 2021. Their sentencing is set for May 30.

The case was managed by the Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division (HCFD), which acts as Michigan's federally certified Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The HCFD receives significant funding from both federal and state sources, including a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services totaling $5,541,992 for fiscal year 2024.