PA Lifesharing, LCC Agrees To Pay $1.2M To Settle False Claims Act Allegations

HARRISBURG, PA -The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that PA Lifesharing, LLC (PAL) has agreed to pay $1,211,095.53 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims for payment to Medicaid by allowing unqualified Direct Support Professionals to render 1:1 services in violation of the applicable Medicaid rules and regulations.

According to the United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024, PAL submitted claims to Medicaid for services rendered by Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who PAL knew were not properly cleared and/or trained and thus unqualified to render 1:1 services.

"Ensuring patients are being treated by properly trained individuals is of the upmost importance, "said Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). "We will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate allegations of improper billings and uphold the integrity of the Medicaid program."

Once PAL was aware of the investigation, they cooperated with the United States including self-identifying some of the improper claims and correcting the issues that led to the false claims.

This settlement resolved a sealed lawsuit originally filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which permits a private party to file a complaint on behalf of the United States and share in a portion of the Government's recovery. This qui tam is captioned United States ex rel. Jane Doe v. PA Lifesharing, LLC, Carolyn Bennett Carson, and Rajkumar Wale, No. 1:24-CV-1053 (M.D.P.A.). The whistleblower will receive $242,219 of the settlement amount.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Haken and the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania with assistance from the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

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