HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced charges against Tina Bell, owner and manager of Superior Health, Inc. — an Erie County home care agency — for Medicaid fraud and endangering vulnerable individuals under her care. While licensed as a home care agency providing non-medical care, Bell operated shared-care homes in which Medicaid consumers resided. She billed for medical care by misrepresenting the qualifications of those providing care and/or where the care was rendered.
Bell, 56, of Berks County, is charged with theft by deception, receiving stolen property, Medicaid fraud, tampering with public records, and neglect of a care-dependent person. Bail was set at $100,000.
The Office of Attorney General’s investigation showed that Bell received more than $1 million in Medicaid funds for work that did not occur and for instances where inadequate care was provided, both of which endangered care-dependent individuals. She also falsified paperwork when audited by state officials in order to perpetuate the fraud scheme which was at risk of detection.
“The defendant allegedly put patients at risk while providing subpar care and services, and defrauded a system designed to help the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians,” Attorney General Henry said. “My office takes a hard stance against individuals and businesses that break the law to prioritize personal profits over people.”
The investigation showed Bell failed to provide adequate staffing and care, including directing an unlicensed individual to perform nursing duties.
Furthermore, when Superior Health was being audited by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bell falsified records to cover up severe deficiencies, including understaffing, lack of mandatory training, and failure to conduct required health screenings of employees. She also generated false medical and financial documentation to justify fraudulent claims for payment.
Bell’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 31.
This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Samuel Zappala, and Attorney-In-Charge Kee Song from the Medicaid Fraud Control Section. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Pennsylvania Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $12,839,940 for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2025. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $4,279,979 for FY 2025, is funded by Pennsylvania.
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