ROCKY HILL — A Newtown psychologist and advanced registered nurse (ARPN) pleaded guilty this week to defrauding Medicaid by billing the government health insurance program for thousands of dollars.

Jeannie Pasacreta, 66, who practices from her home on Abbey Lane, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in Hartford Superior Court to one count of Health Insurance Fraud, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes Sections 53-442/443. In addition, Pasacreta was ordered to pay $79,418.77 in restitution.

The Honorable David P. Gold sentenced Pasacreta to unconditional release as, per the plea agreement, she paid the agreed-upon restitution.

By pleading guilty to a program-related felony, Pasacreta is also subject to mandatory exclusion as a health care provider to certain federally funded health programs pursuant to federal and state laws and regulations.

Medicaid is a government program that provides health coverage to low-income individuals and is financed both by the federal and state governments and administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

Pasacreta was arrested on September 17, 2018 on charges that she bilked the Medicaid during 2016 and 2017 for services she allegedly never performed, according to a statement from the Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office (CSAO).

Pasacreta was arrested by inspectors from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney. She was charged with one count each of first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community, health insurance fraud, and first-degree identity theft.

Pasacreta surrendered to CSAO inspectors at Rocky Hill Police Department, where she was arrested and processed, according to a CSAO spokesman.

Authorities said they learned of the situation through a tip provided by a former employee of Pasacreta’s business, Integrated Mental Health Services.

The former employee told investigators that the doctor received “very large” payments from Medicaid even though she “barely works” and was “constantly canceling” appointments with patients, according to the CSAO.

Subsequent investigation by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit found that over a two-year period beginning in 2016, Pasacreta billed Medicaid for hundreds of claims for services that were never rendered, according to CSAO.

Based on patient schedules, Medicaid payment histories, and the recollections of 15 patients, among other information, the investigation concluded that the defendant fraudulently billed the Medicaid program and received $79,418.77 in Medicaid payments that she was not entitled to receive.

Pasacreta's practice operates out of her Newtown home and offers counseling to patients with mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders.

First-degree larceny by defrauding a public community and first-degree identity theft are class B felonies, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Health insurance fraud is an unclassified felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit was assisted by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Connecticut Department of Social Services Office of Quality Assurance, Connecticut Attorney General’s Office, and Rocky Hill Police Department.

Anyone with knowledge of suspected fraud or abuse in the public healthcare system is asked to contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office at 860-258-5986.