Florida psychologist Maria Rodriguez-Dowling excluded from Medicaid; state seeks to discipline

June 22, 2012

According to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, psychologist Maria Rodriguez-Dowling, of Coleman, Florida, was excluded from participation in federally funded health care program.

This means she may not deliver mental health services to patients enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, etc. nor submit claims for reimbursement nor received reimbursement from these programs.

The reason given is that Rodriguez-Dowling was convicted of a crime substantially related to the Medicaid-Medicare program. On or about August 31, 2011, in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, Rodriguez-Dowling pled guilty to and was adjudicated guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of making a false statement.

On May 24, 2012, the Florida Board of Psychology issued an accusation against Rodriguez-Dowling, relative to her conviction, seeking to suspend or revoke her license.

Source: Exclusions database entry for Maria Rodriguez-Dowling, website of the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services and License Verification from Florida Department of Health website, ww2.doh.state.fl.us, accessed 4/12/12.