Kelly Pitt, 39, pleads guilty to redirecting Medicare claims into her own account at Goolwa Medical Centre

A mum and longtime medical receptionist who redirected Medicare claims into her own bank account only stopped when the centre caught on to her scam.

A 39-year-old mother cried as her lawyer revealed she diverted Medicare refunds from the elderly and children due to “need not greed”.

Kelly Pitt in the Victor Harbor Magistrate Court on Monday pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Stephen Ey, defence counsel for Pitt, said the Goolwa woman was struggling financially at the time of the offending and that her actions went against her Christian values.

“The offending arose out of need not greed,” Mr Ey said.

“She (Pitt) was struggling to make ends meet – there was no addiction to alcohol or drugs.

“(She was) just trying to cover living expenses and pay bills.”

The court heard Pitt, who was the receptionist at the Goolwa Medical Centre for more than 20 years, submitted 69 false Medicare claims for 31 patients under 11 different doctors’ names between December 2019 and July 2020.

The amount taken was $6885.15.

The victims included children and elderly patients.

Goolwa Medical Centre. Picture: File

When the medical centre became aware of Pitt’s misconduct, she received a suspension notice, before handing in her letter of resignation in August 2020.

Mr Ey said Pitt wrote to Medicare on the same day, detailing her offending.

Police interviewed Pitt on February 2, 2021 and she was charged on November 29 of the same year.

Mr Ey said the offending was out of character for his client, who had never been before the court.

“She understands the offending is serious,” Mr Ey said.

“Given the amount, it was at the lower end of the seriousness.”

In her sentencing remarks, Magistrate Teresa Anderson said Pitt’s offending breached a position of trust.

“This was very deliberate and you assumed a patient’s identity while you made arrangements for money to be paid into your account,” Ms Anderson said.

“In some instances you were receiving an extra $700 beyond your normal wages.

“The matter only came to an end because irregularities were observed and an audit was conducted.”

Pitt was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended on a three-year good behaviour bond and ordered to pay the total cost back to the Commonwealth.