A settlement agreement was finalized in federal court in which a Bay Area physician, Dr. Parvez Fatteh, agreed to pay $400,000 to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by charging the Medicare Program for physical and occupational therapy services rendered by unlicensed persons. According to the settlement agreement, Dr. Fatteh owned and operated San Francisco Pain Management and Physical Therapy (dba Total Health Plus), a clinic located in San Francisco, California, that provided physical and occupational therapy and chiropractor services. The agreement indicates that from 2012 to 2015, Dr. Fatteh billed Medicare for physical and occupational therapy rendered by individuals who allegedly were not licensed therapists under California law. The settlement resolves claims against Dr. Fatteh in a lawsuit brought by Hercules Malabanan, a former employee of San Francisco Pain and Physical Therapy, under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-33.
