Woman sentenced for Medicaid mileage reimbursement fraud

CONCORD - A Pembroke woman has been convicted of class A felony Theft by Deception and class B felony Medicaid Fraud - False Claims.

Jennifer Harding, 45, pleaded guilty in Merrimack County Superior Court to stealing $21,152.52 in Medicaid funds, according to a statement from the AG's Office sent today.

Between June 2020 and October 2023, Harding submitted fraudulent claims for mileage reimbursement as part of the Family and Friends Mileage Reimbursement Program. She claimed she was living with a family member in Barnstead and traveling to healthcare appointments in Concord, a distance of approximately 21 miles each way. However, during that time, Harding lived in Pembroke, less than 7 miles from the treatment facility.

The Court sentenced Harding to serve 1½ to 4 years at the New Hampshire State Prison on the Theft by Deception charge. The sentence was fully deferred for six months, as the defendant has been ordered to comply with several conditions during that deferment period.

Additionally, on the Medicaid Fraud - False Claims charge, the Court sentenced Harding to a 2-to-4-year State Prison sentence. That sentence is fully suspended for a period of 7 years on the condition of good behavior and compliance with the terms of the sentence, and it will run consecutively to the Theft charge if imposed. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution of $21,152.52 to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Harding is now prohibited from further participation in the Family and Friends Mileage Reimbursement Program.