by bvernia | April 21st, 2022
On April 18, the Department of Justice announced that a Colorado substance abuse treatment center had entered an ability-to-pay settlement to resolve a whistleblower’s allegations that it had fraudulently billed federal healthcare programs. According to DOJ’s press release:
Springbok Health Inc., a medical clinic with locations in Colorado Springs and Pueblo West, Colorado, and Mark Jankelow, Springbok’s owner and Chief Executive Officer, have agreed to pay at least $125,000, and up to as much as $335,494, to resolve allegations they violated the False Claims Act by billing Medicare and Medicaid for high-complexity and prolonged medical evaluation and management services when such services were not rendered.
Between 2017 and 2019, Springbok and Jankelow allegedly billed Medicare and Medicaid for expensive medical evaluation and management services when, at most, less expensive counseling services were provided. The resolution is based on Springbok’s and Jankelow’s ability to pay.
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The relator will receive between $22,500 and $60,389 (an 18% relator’s share).
