KRS 205.8471: Lien on property of provider or recipient defrauding Medicaid program.

(1) The Commonwealth shall have a lien against all property of any provider or

recipient who is found to have defrauded the Medicaid program for an amount equal

to the sum defrauded plus any interest and penalties levied under KRS 205.8451 to

205.8483. The li en shall attach to all property and rights to property owned by the

provider or recipient and all property subsequently acquired after a finding of fraud

by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

(2) The lien imposed by subsection (1) of this section shall not be defeated by gift,

devise, sale, alienation, or any other means, and shall include the sum defrauded and

all interest, penalties, fees, or other expenses associated with collection of the debt.

The lien shall have priority over any other lien o r obligation against the property,

except as provided in subsection (3) of this section.

(3) The lien imposed by subsection (1) of this section shall not be valid as against any

purchaser, judgment lien creditor, or holder of a security interest or mechani c's lien

which was filed prior to the date on which notice of the lien created by this section

is filed by the secretary for health and family services or his designee with the

county clerk of the county or counties in which the provider's business or resi dence

is located, or in any county in which the taxpayer has an interest in property. The

notice of lien shall be recorded in the same manner as the notice of lis pendens.

(4) The secretary for health and family services shall issue a partial release of an y part

of the property subject to lien upon payment by the debtor of that portion of the debt

and any interest, penalty, or fees covered by the lien on that property.

(5) The secretary for health and family services may enforce the lien created pursuant to

this section in the manner provided for the enforcement of statutory liens under

KRS 376.110 to 376.130.