State Appealing Decision to Drop Charges Against Idaho Clinic

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is appealing a decision by an administrative judge to dismiss fraud charges and restore the Medicaid provider status of a southern Idaho mental health provider. Agency officials announced an appeal this week in the case involving Seasons of Hope.

Last month, a hearing judge cleared the clinic of fraud alleged by the agency after an 18-month investigation. State lawyers accused the Chubbuck-based provider of inappropriate billing and also sought to recoup more than $439,000 in overpayments. The judge, however, did order Seasons of Hope to repay more than $94,000 in payments and fines.

But agency spokesman Tom Shanahan says agency attorneys believe the clinic owes taxpayers more than that amount. The appeal will be reviewed by the agency director Richard Armstrong.