Dr Brian Hyatt

Former chairman resigns from Arkansas Medical Board facing scrutiny in state, federal probes

KUAR | By Hunter Field / Arkansas Advocate

Northwest Arkansas psychiatrist Dr. Brian Hyatt resigned from the State Medical Board last week, two months after he stepped down as chairman.

Hyatt’s resignation — confirmed by records obtained under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act — comes as he is under investigation by state and federal authorities.

The scope of the criminal probes is unknown, but court records indicate that investigators in the Arkansas attorney general’s office suspected Hyatt of Medicaid fraud. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas also confirmed this week that U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents executed a search warrant at Hyatt’s Rogers office.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-05-26/former-chairman-resigns-from-arkansas-medical-board-facing-scrutiny-in-state-federal-probes

Jenny Kane/AP

Masks hang from an IV pole at a hospital.

Arkansas Medical Board chairman suspended from state Medicaid program

KUAR | By Hunter Field / Arkansas Advocate

The chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board has been suspended from the Arkansas Medicaid Program and is under investigation for Medicaid and Medicare fraud.

State health officials suspended all Medicaid payments to Board Chairman Dr. Brian Hyatt on Friday after determining there was a “credible allegation of fraud,” according to a letter obtained in a public records request.

A search warrant for Hyatt’s phone records, also obtained by the Advocate under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, provides a list of allegations against the Northwest Arkansas psychiatrist being investigated by Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-03-01/arkansas-medical-board-chairman-suspended-from-state-medicaid-program

Jenny Kane/AP

Dr. Brian Hyatt is being investigated by Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office for suspected Medicaid fraud.