Middletown nurse accused of trying steal more than $500G through insurance fraud

April 25--TRENTON -- A nurse from Middletown was indicted on charges of attempting to steal more than $500,000 through health insurance fraud, according to the state Attorney General's Office.

Donna Dzienisiewski, 40, was charged Thursday with health care claims fraud, attempted theft by deception, theft by deception, identity theft and falsifying records.

"This indictment alleges that the defendant callously attempted to defraud her insurance company of half a million dollars, ultimately obtaining more than $140,000," acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said in a prepared statement. "These types of fraudulent activities drive up the cost of insurance premiums for law-abiding residents of New Jersey."

The indictment alleges that between March 2011 and March 2013, Dzienisiewski submitted 107 claims to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey that gave the false impression that she incurred approximately $502,740 in total reimbursable expenses for health care services. The indictment alleges that Dzienisiewski never visited the doctor on 101 of those occasions and incurred no medical expenses at all on those occasions.

The indictment also claims Dzienisiewski stole the doctor's identity, placing his name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and tax identification number on each of the claims that were submitted to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. She is a registered nurse, although her profession is unrelated to the alleged crime, the Attorney General's Office said.

As a result of the alleged fraud, Dzienisiewski received $141,126 from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to which she was not entitled.

"Submitting false health care claims to insurance companies strikes at the heart of New Jersey's health care system because it steals money directly from the sources used to treat illnesses for New Jersey's honest residents," acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Ronald Chillemi said in a prepared statement. "This atrocious behavior will be prosecuted vigorously by the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor."

Nicholas Huba: 732-557-5617; nhuba@app.com

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