PA Lifesharing, LLC has agreed to pay $1,211,095.53 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims for Medicaid payment involving unqualified Direct Support Professionals, according to an April 30 announcement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The settlement addresses concerns about ensuring that patients receive care from properly trained individuals and upholding integrity in the Medicaid program. The case centers on claims submitted between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024 for services rendered by staff who were not properly cleared or trained.
Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General said: “Ensuring patients are being treated by properly trained individuals is of the upmost importance. 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 PA Lifesharing became aware of the investigation, officials say it cooperated with authorities by self-identifying some improper claims and correcting related issues. The settlement resolves a sealed lawsuit originally filed under qui tam provisions that allow private parties to file complaints on behalf of the United States; in this case, a whistleblower will receive $242,219 from the settlement amount.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Haken and involved assistance from both federal prosecutors and inspectors general offices focused on health services oversight.
The United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania operates under the Department of Justice according to its official website. The office prosecutes federal crimes, manages civil litigation for government interests, offers victim support programs as well as reentry initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism according to its official website. It serves approximately 3.2 million residents across a jurisdiction covering more than 21,900 square miles in central Pennsylvania—including Harrisburg, Scranton, Williamsport and Wilkes-Barre facilities according to its official website.
Officials note that "the claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability."
