House Bill 1227 Summary

• Creates new criminal offense of Medicaid fraud in North Dakota Century Code chapter 12.1-31, including knowingly submitting false claims for medical assistance payments or benefits for services not entitled to under law.

• Prohibits soliciting, accepting, offering, or providing remuneration (kickbacks, bribes, rebates) in connection with furnishing services under the medical assistance program or referring recipients to other providers for payment.

• Establishes tiered criminal penalties based on claim value: Class A misdemeanor for claims up to $1,000; Class C felony for $1,000 to $10,000; Class B felony for $10,000 to $50,000; Class A felony for claims exceeding $50,000 when part of a common scheme.

• Requires suspension from the medical assistance program for at least one year for first offense (with option of permanent termination), three years for second offense, and permanent termination for third offense.

• Mandates convicted persons repay all fraudulently obtained payments or benefits to the medical assistance program and prohibits billing recipients, the program, or third-party payers for services involved.