A Connecticut woman who worked as a personal care assistant has been arrested after allegedly billing Medicaid for services totaling more than $13,000 while her client lived outside of the United States.
Carmen Berroa, 61, of Waterbury was taken into custody on Oct. 31 by inspectors from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney and charged with first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community and health insurance fraud, according to the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice. Both charges are Class B felonies and punishable by up to 20 years in prison, the DCJ said.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Berroa was enrolled as a personal care assistant for a recipient in the Adult Family Living program in October 2023.
“The Adult Family Living program, which is funded through the Connecticut Homecare Program for Elders, offers financial assistance and support to family members or a friend who act as a primary in-home caregiver for elderly individuals,” the DCJ said.
The warrant affidavit said the recipient then relocated to the Dominican Republic in December 2023. Between Dec. 6, 2023 and Aug. 6, 2025, Berroa allegedly submitted fraudulent time sheets and received payments totaling $13,153.59 for 243 dates of service she allegedly did not provide, as the program recipient was out of the country.
Berroa has been released on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on Thursday.
The case was investigated by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, according to the DCJ.
“The Unit is grateful for the assistance it received in this investigation from the Connecticut Department of Social Services, Office of Quality Assurance — Special Investigations Division and the Waterbury Police Department,” the DCJ said in a statement on Tuesday.
Anyone who suspects fraud or abuse in the public healthcare system is asked to contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney at 860-258-5986.