A VICTORIAN medical receptionist was sentenced last month to two years imprisonment, with a minimum term of 12 months by the County Court of Victoria after pleading guilty to charging more than $181,000 in fraudulent Medicare payments.
Following a successful referral to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Sarah Ward from Clyde North entered a guilty plea.
Ward will be eligible for release after 12 months, subject to good behaviour for 12 months and payment of a pecuniary penalty to the Commonwealth of $1,000.
During the period of 29 Jul 2017 and 27 Mar 2020, Ward made false claims relating to 1,610 Medicare Benefits Schedule items with 783 claims made in her name and 827 claims in her husband's name.
As a result Ward received $181,121.75 in Medicare benefits she was not entitled to.
All monies have been repaid in full.
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