Daphne woman booked for hospital fraud

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Mobile police say a Daphne woman used different names to get treatment at a local hospital.

According to investigators, the woman went in several times even using a false social security number.

Ashley Rains with the Mobile Police Department said Jennifer Campbell racked up a large bill at Spring Hill Medical Center.

"She went to Spring Hill Medical Center to seek treatment for what she said were stomach pains or abdominal pains,” said Rains.

They said it was three visits in total. Police said Campbell received treatment for the first two visits using fake names.

Officials said for her third visit, she used a fake social security number.

"The victim that maintained that social security number actually lives in California," said Rains.

Campbell was arrested for identity theft last month and for theft by deception Tuesday.

We went to the address Campbell listed when she was arrested but according to the homeowner Campbell sold the house more than a month ago.

Investigators are trying to determine why Campbell sought treatment.

Rosemary Blackmon with the Alabama Hospital Association said cases like this are popping up across the state, and it’s costing hospitals a lot of money.

"There really isn't a lot of room for additional hits to hospitals in terms of financial reimbursements," said Blackmon.

In May, police arrested John Reutcke, 57. They said he faked a stroke and ran up tens of thousands of dollars in unneeded medical services to get pain pills at Spring Hill Medical Center.

FOX10 discovered more than a dozen states had investigated Ruetcke for similar crimes in a 20 year span.

Blackmon said hospitals are doing all they can to combat the problem.

"Most hospitals are asking for a form of ID and are going to great lengths to make sure the information verified is correct,” said Blackmon.

Blackmon said what has really increases hospital fraud is the economy. She said people without health insurance are using fake names to avoid charges.

In some cases, she said people are using fake names to gain access to drugs.

Campbell has been released on bond.
Reutcke’s case has been turned over to the federal courts.