Dr. Brian Hyatt stepped down as chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board Thursday in a special meeting following “credible allegations of fraud,” noted in a letter from the state’s office of Medicaid inspector general.
Members of the board met remotely Thursday with only one item on the agenda: “Discussion of Arkansas State Board’s leadership.”
The motion to approve Hyatt’s request to step down as chairman and out of an executive role on the board was approved unanimously.
Board members also decided that Dr. Rhys Branman will take over as the interim chairman until an election to fill the seat is held in April.
According to the board Thursday, the vacant seats for vice chair and chair of the board will be voted on separate ballots in the April elections.
The Medicaid letter states “red flags” were discovered in Hyatt’s use of Medicaid claims and process of billing for medical services. In Arkansas, Medicaid fraud resulting in an overpayment over $2,500 is a felony.