Comfort Inn honoredCarbondale Comfort Inn & Suites recently won the Silver Hospitality Award from Choice Hotels International, and now the propertys owner, Creative Hotel Associates, has been recognized as one of the top 100 hotel companies in the United States by the industry magazine Hotel Business. Started seven years ago by hoteliers Robert Hazard and Aspen resident Jerry Petitt, CHA now owns 14 hotels across the country with three more in the pipeline, including properties in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Steamboat Springs.Recently the Carbondale Comfort Inn won its first Silver Hospitality Award after undergoing a series of rigorous inspections evaluating each hotel department. The Carbondale Comfort Inn & Suites offers complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, pool and hot tub, and is introducing a new government meal deal for guests staying at the per diem room rate. For more information contact the hotel directly at 963-8880.Mason & Morse top sellersMason & Morse recognizes their top sellers and listors for third quarter and for September. Top seller and listor for the third quarter was Wendy Harrison. The top sellers for September were Paula Derevensky and Louis Thompson and the top listor was Shannon Kyle.Western Slope Peak Performance expandsWestern Slope Peak Performance, which provides physical and occupational therapy services in Rifle, has expanded to a newly remodeled office. The office has ground-floor entry, accessible parking and state-of-the-art equipment. It is a preferred provider for most insurances and networks including RMHMO PO. and HMO plans. Western Slope Peak Performance is located at 234 Railroad Ave. in Rifle. For scheduling call the Glenwood Springs office 945-0506.New BBB members The Mountain States Better Business Bureau welcomes the following new members: Budget Blinds of Roaring Fork, 1838 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs. 928-7700; Injury Release & Wellness Rehabilitation Center, 3950 Midland Ave, Glenwood Springs, 945-2097; Just Like Home 1902 Pioneer Drive, Silt, 876-2734; Mannix Painting, 227 Kings Road, Carbondale, 704-0040; Mullenax Construction & Roofing, 514 Will Ave., Rifle, 625-5154; Tradesmen, 120 E. Third St., Rifle, 625-0612. Weimer takes over Edward Jones officeDavid R. Weimer has been named to take over Carbondales Edward Jones office, at 0326 Highway 133, Suite 110. Weimer assumes the position of investment representative from Albert F. Fiorello, who is pursuing other opportunities in the securities industry.Were excited to have someone with Daves experience taking over our Carbondale office, said Edward Jones managing partner John Bachmann. We’ve been serving the investment needs of people in the area for the past three years, and we believe that Dave will excel at continuing that tradition. Rinker earns certificationMaggie Rinker of Rifle earned her ESMT certification by successfully completing requirements for the countrys original program in equine sports massage therapy. The program, offered by EQUISSAGE, Inc. prepares Rinker for a career in utilized muscle therapy for horses engaged in athletic competition. Massage therapy enhances sports performance of equine athletes and assists the horse in reaching it fullest potential.Hollis Kelley receives sales honorHollis Kelley, a registered representative with Edward Jones, has earned PLANCOs highest honor membership in the 2003 Admirals Club. Kelley earned the distinction by producing more than $3 million in sales in a calendar year. Edward Jones is located at 1324 Grand Ave. in Glenwood, 928-0500.Sasser speaks at Breckenridge conventionKathleen Sasser, vice president of human resources at Alpine Bank, was a speaker at the Independent Bankers of Colorados 30th annual convention in Breckenridge prosecute the case in the 9th Judicial District. Blakey, who served as D.A. in Garfield County from 1981 to 1996, moved to the Front Range in 1997 to become the units director. Blakey said its his offices policy not to speak specifically about pending cases, but he gave some background on his investigative unit. Thats all we deal with is Medicaid fraud, he said. And only fraud committed by providers. The unit investigates around 60 cases a year, pressing charges in just 10 or 12 a year. He said the problem of Medicaid fraud is nationwide, and widespread. Thats why these Medicaid fraud units exist, he said, so any kind of fraud on the program, or in the program, will be investigated. Medicaid, which is a program that helps needy people pay for medical care, has a finite amount of money, Blakey said, so its important to let medical providers know someones watching. The number of medical providers who are reimbursed by Medicaid is staggering. In Colorado alone during the 2003 fiscal year there were a total of 44,989 enrolled providers and 315,354 recipients. Overcharges first discoveredat Valley View HospitalBlakey said to win a conviction, the fraud unit must prove that a suspect had the intent to defraud the system. And rather than using the dollar amount of a suspected fraud to decide which cases to investigate, Blakey said, We look at conduct. According to the indictment, Slater first came to the fraud units attention in September 2000, when he was investigated for billing practices associated with his private office practice. It was discovered that Dr. Slater was billing at a high rate for his services at Valley View Hospital, the indictment said. A peer review within the hospital confirmed that the doctor was billing for infants in the hospital at a higher level than was justified, the indictment said. In February 2001, the case was re-referred to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for investigation of the critical care coding violations. Its a very serious problem when money is misappropriated, Blakey said. Thats why the Medicare fraud unit sees its priority as keeping honest providers honest.Contact Greg Masse: 945-8515, ext. 511gmasse@postindependent.com