HARTFORD — Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen has reached a $200,000 settlement with a Waterbury licensed clinical social worker and two of his behavioral health practices to resolve a lawsuit alleging long-term Medicaid fraud.
The state reached the settlement for the 2017 lawsuit it filed under the Connecticut False Claims Act against Elijah Caldwell, owner and operator of A Prospering Vision LLC and founder and president of Home of Hope, Inc. The state alleges Caldwell submitted bills to the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (CMAP) for behavioral health services that allegedly were provided to CMAP patients that were never rendered or provided by unlicensed individuals. The state also alleged that Caldwell "upcoded" services provided to CMAP patients.
"My office and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting taxpayers and vigorously pursuing all those who knowingly submit false claims affecting the state's Medicaid program," Jepsen said in a statement. "This settlement acknowledges the seriousness of the conduct alleged in this case and represents a fair resolution of the pending litigation."
According to the Attorney General's Office, the $200,000 settlement amount will be returned to the state's Medicaid program, and the providers are prohibited from participating in the Connecticut Medicaid program for a decade.