Dr. Brian Hyatt was once a trusted name in Arkansas psychiatry. He ran a private practice, held a leadership position on the Arkansas State Medical Board, and directed the behavioral health unit at Northwest Medical Center-Springdale.
But behind the polished credentials, something far darker was unfolding.
For years, patients in his care found themselves trapped in his psychiatric unit, denied discharge, and unable to reach anyone who could help. Phone calls to his office went unanswered, voicemails were full, and pleas for help fell on deaf ears. Families desperate for information about their loved ones were met with silence.
Now, Hyatt is facing over 100 lawsuits and felony charges in what has become one of the most shocking medical malpractice and Medicaid fraud cases in Arkansas history.
A Respected Doctor With a Dark Secret
On paper, Hyatt was a pillar of the medical community. His work as the medical director of a psychiatric unit put him in charge of vulnerable patients, many of whom were admitted for crisis care. His private practice, Pinnacle Premier Psychiatry, was a successful operation catering to those seeking outpatient mental health treatment.
But what made him even more untouchable was his role as chair of the Arkansas State Medical Board’s Peer Review Committee, where he oversaw cases of professional misconduct among other doctors.
With such a powerful position, few would have suspected that he himself was running one of the most egregious medical negligence and Medicaid fraud scandals in the state’s history.
The Disturbing Allegations
For many former patients, checking into Hyatt’s psychiatric unit was like entering a black hole. Those who were admitted, even voluntarily, found themselves unable to leave. Requests for discharge were ignored. Some were medicated unnecessarily, left in isolation, or told that their concerns would be “re-evaluated later”—a delay tactic that kept them hospitalized longer than necessary.
For their families, getting information was just as impossible. Many repeatedly called Hyatt’s office for updates, only to encounter the same response: a full voicemail box and no returned calls.
What seemed like a breakdown in communication turned out to be part of a larger pattern of systemic neglect and potential financial fraud.
Over time, a growing number of patients and their families began speaking out, describing experiences that painted a disturbing picture of medical malpractice, unethical detainment, and Medicaid fraud on a massive scale.
How the Medicaid Fraud Was Uncovered
As complaints mounted, investigators began reviewing Hyatt’s Medicaid billing records—and what they found was staggering.
For years, Hyatt billed Medicaid at the highest possible rate for psychiatric services, claiming that he was providing extensive care and hands-on treatment for every patient. But when investigators compared these claims to security footage and patient records, the discrepancies became undeniable.
Patients who never saw Hyatt in person were listed as receiving multiple, high-intensity evaluations. Some were only admitted for brief psychiatric assessments but were billed for prolonged inpatient care. Medicaid payouts exceeded $800,000, all based on claims that Hyatt was providing far more treatment than he actually was.
Read more about how Dr. Hyatt manipulated the Medicaid system for profit and the shocking details of his $800K fraud scheme.
This wasn’t just a case of a doctor too busy to return calls—it was a calculated system of negligence that helped conceal widespread fraud.
How Could This Go Unnoticed for So Long?
The full voicemail boxes, the ignored calls, and the stonewalling of families weren’t just inconveniences. They were part of the reason the fraud was able to continue unchecked for so long.
Patients who tried to speak out were trapped within the psychiatric system, where their credibility was often questioned. Families who might have raised alarms earlier were unable to reach anyone with real authority. And since psychiatric hospitals have broad discretion over patient stays, there were few safeguards in place to challenge the prolonged detentions.
For Medicaid, oversight was just as lax. The system operates largely on self-reported documentation, meaning that if a doctor claims they provided care, there is often no immediate way to dispute it. Unless a patient complains or an audit is triggered, fraudulent billing can go unnoticed for years.
Hyatt’s high-ranking position in the medical community also played a role. With his credentials, who would dare question his judgment?
The Legal Fallout: Lawsuits, Criminal Charges, and the End of a Career
Once authorities caught on, Hyatt’s empire collapsed quickly.
His private practice shut down in mid-2023, and his medical license expired in September 2024, with no renewal in sight. Facing a flood of civil litigation and criminal prosecution, he is no longer practicing medicine.
Now, he’s up against over 100 civil lawsuits, with that number expected to grow. Many former patients claim they suffered unnecessary detainment, emotional trauma, and medical mistreatment under his care.
The state has also charged him with two felony counts of Medicaid fraud, a case that could result in serious financial penalties and prison time. His trial is set for April 9, 2025, and the outcome could make him one of the most high-profile convicted fraudsters in Arkansas medical history.
For those who suffered under his care, justice may finally be on the horizon.
A Larger Warning for the Medical Community
While Hyatt’s story is shocking, it’s not an isolated case.
Across the country, doctors have been caught abusing Medicaid billing systems, taking advantage of weak oversight and vulnerable patients. Medical negligence and fraudulent claims don’t just put money in corrupt doctors’ pockets—they actively harm the patients they claim to serve.
This case also highlights how something as simple as unanswered phone calls can signal far bigger problems beneath the surface. A full voicemail box might seem like bad office management, but in this case, it helped conceal years of neglect and malpractice.
For medical professionals, this serves as a stark reminder: patient communication isn’t just about good service—it can be the difference between a thriving practice and a legal disaster.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Brian Hyatt’s fall from grace was as dramatic as it was inevitable. His unchecked power, his pattern of neglect, and his exploitation of both patients and Medicaid ultimately led to his downfall.
With lawsuits piling up and a criminal trial on the horizon, his case may set a precedent for how medical fraud is prosecuted in the future.
