
The Office of Medicaid Inspector General said in a March 11 letter that it is suspending all payments for Medicaid services provided by Dr. Alonzo Williams of Little Rock pending a full investigation into an allegation of fraud.
After conducting a preliminary investigation, the OMIG found “a credible allegation of fraud, including but not limited to allegations that the provider performed certain procedures that were not medically necessary, failed to adequately assess certain beneficiaries before invasive procedures, and billed for services not rendered,” according to the letter written by Inspector General Allison Bragg and obtained by Arkansas Business.
The OMIG told Williams, who practices at the Arkansas Diagnostic Center and whose specialty is gastroenterology, that the temporary payment suspension will continue until the investigators determine there isn’t enough evidence of fraud or the legal proceedings related to the alleged fraud are completed.
OMIG said that Williams could appeal the suspension, but it was unclear if he had done so as of Friday morning.
Williams was unavailable for comment Friday morning. A message left at his practice wasn’t immediately returned.
Officials at OMIG also were unavailable Friday.
Arkansas Diagnostic Center’s website said that Williams, a native of West Helena, and graduate of UAMS, has served as the medical director for the center for more than 25 years.
During that time, Williams has pursued “the latest gastroenterology research and techniques in order to ensure excellent care for every patient,” the website said. “He serves as a gastroenterology consultant for hospitals throughout Little Rock and is a member of a number of prominent professional organizations, and a former member of the Arkansas State Medical Board.”
Williams also owns nearly 14% of Natural State Medicinals Cultivation, the medical marijuana company based in White Hall.