Minnesota Therapist Charged in Alleged $2.25 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme
Published: September 28th, 2026.
RAMSEY COUNTY MN: A Minnesota therapist is facing 13 felony charges after prosecutors allege he submitted more than 27,400 fraudulent Medicaid claims and obtained more than $2.25 million for psychotherapy services that were not provided.
Peter Jason Meilahn, 50, is charged in Ramsey County District Court with 11 counts of theft by false representation involving more than $35,000 and two counts of identity theft. Each charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine, according to the complaint.
According to the complaint, Meilahn operated Individual Services and also worked as an independent contractor with Franklin Family Services, providing psychotherapy and behavioral health services. Investigators with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit allege Meilahn submitted claims for services he did not provide and used Medicaid recipients' identities to submit claims that were not eligible for reimbursement.
The investigation began after UCare received a fraud complaint from a member who reported having one short phone conversation with Meilahn in January 2023 but said Meilahn continued billing for additional services. According to the complaint, UCare reviewed nearly 2,000 claims and found that 99% of those submitted between January and August 2023 represented more than 24 hours of services per day based on the units billed.
State investigators later expanded the investigation and allegedly identified 468 days on which Meilahn submitted claims representing more than 24 hours of psychotherapy services in a single day.
Investigators interviewed 19 people who provided information involving 26 Medicaid recipients. Some allegedly received only a handful of sessions before ending treatment, yet investigators say claims continued to be submitted under their names for years. Others told investigators they had never received services from Meilahn.
In one example cited in the complaint, a mother provided insurance information for her seven children in anticipation of them receiving therapy. Investigators allege none of the children ever began services with Meilahn, but claims were submitted under their names from 2021 through 2023, resulting in more than $150,000 in Medicaid payments.
Investigators ultimately identified 27,430 claims for psychotherapy services they allege were never provided. The complaint alleges Medicaid paid more than $2.25 million based on fraudulent claims submitted or directed to be submitted by Meilahn.
The charges are allegations. Meilahn is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.