Capitol News

A Delta County woman has pleaded guilty to two counts of felony Medicaid Fraud as a habitual second offender, according to an announcement from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Nicole Stouffer, 44, of Rock, Michigan, entered her plea in connection with allegations that she defrauded the Home Help Program.

Stouffer was approved by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to receive home help services beginning in July 2021. The program allowed her to choose her own service provider, and she selected a family member. Between November 2021 and August 2022, logs were submitted to DHHS verifying work allegedly performed during this period. Approximately $8,000 was paid out for these services.

In November 2022, the family member listed as Stouffer’s provider contacted the Department of Attorney General to file a complaint. The individual denied having agreed to serve as Stouffer’s home help provider or having provided any of the services that resulted in payment.

“The Home Help Program provides essential support to help some of our most vulnerable remain in the comfort of their homes and avoid the need for costly long-term care facilities,” Nessel said. “My office takes the exploitation of such programs very seriously, and we will continue to hold accountable those who steal from this important safety net.”

Stouffer faces up to six years in prison as a result of her plea. Sentencing is scheduled for December 16 before Judge John B. Economopoulos in Delta County’s 47th Circuit Court.

The case was handled by the Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division (HCFD), which serves as Michigan's federally certified Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. For fiscal year 2026, HCFD receives most of its funding—75 percent—from a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant totaling $5,517,524. The remaining portion is funded by the State of Michigan at $1,839,170.