Progressions Behavioral Health Services, Inc. and Sharmon James, a mental health therapist formerly employed by Progressions, have agreed to pay $27,500 to resolve claims under the False Claims Act set forth in a qui tam complaint filed against them in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The Complaint alleges that James fabricated mental health treatment records for over 59 outpatient sessions with a minor during the period of May 3, 2017 through October 19, 2018. None of these sessions ever occurred. James allegedly falsified records, forged the signature of the minor’s parent on patient encounter forms, and caused Progressions to submit claims for payment to Medicaid based upon these false records. Pursuant to the agreement, Progressions will pay $17,500 and James will pay $10,000 to the United States. The settlement resolves allegations in a whistleblower complaint filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. These provisions allow private citizens to bring civil actions on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery. The whistleblower in this matter was the minor’s parent, who will receive approximately $6,700 of the recovery.
