Health Care Provider Suing Idaho Health and Welfare

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — A mental health care provider in the eastern Idaho city of Pocatello has taken the first step toward suing the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

The Idaho State Journal  reports Seasons of Hope filed a tort claim contending the business sustained damages in excess of $15 million after the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare suspended its Medicaid provider status amid a fraud investigation earlier this year.

A district judge found in June that Seasons of Hope didn't commit any fraud but he did order the company to pay the Department of Health and Welfare about $94,000. In the tort claim, Seasons of Hope says the Department of Health and Welfare was trying to put the company out of business by launching the investigation.