The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has won a significant victory in the fight against healthcare fraud, announcing that a former office manager tied to a Montgomery County home care agency was sentenced to prison for her involvement in a $1.76 million Medicaid fraud conspiracy.
Who Was Sentenced?
Barbara Thomas, 46, served as both office manager and case manager at ComfortZone Home Health Care, a Bala Cynwyd-based Medicaid provider. She was sentenced last week in Montgomery County Court to 9–23 months in state prison, followed by four years of probation. In addition, Thomas and her co-defendants must pay $1.39 million in restitution for the scheme.
What Happened?
Between 2020 and 2023, Thomas and others submitted fraudulent Personal Assistance Services claims to Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program — billing for services that were never actually provided. The investigation determined that ComfortZone knowingly sought Medicaid reimbursement for fabricated care.
Attorney General Dave Sunday emphasized the seriousness of the misconduct, noting that Thomas was deeply involved in day-to-day operations and central to advancing the fraudulent scheme. “This defendant had her hands in the day-to-day operations and was integrally involved in the advancement of a multi-year scheme that stole from taxpayers and defrauded a system designed to help vulnerable Pennsylvanians,” he said.
Investigation and Broader Case
The charges resulted from a two-year investigation led by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Section, with assistance from the FBI and a statewide grand jury presentment. Over 20 people are implicated in the case, including ComfortZone’s owner, Stephanie Mobley, who faces sentencing after pleading guilty. Eighteen co-conspirators have already entered guilty pleas, and prosecutions continue for three remaining defendants.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Benjamin McKenna is prosecuting the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.
