The Florida Attorney General’s Office has secured a settlement exceeding $2.2 million from Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc., benefiting the Florida Medicaid program. Acadia, based in Tennessee, faced allegations of violating the Federal False Claims Act and the Florida False Claims Act by submitting fraudulent claims for inpatient behavioral health care services to Medicaid and Medicare.
Acting Attorney General John Guard remarked, “Our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, along with its colleagues in several states, has yet again done terrific work, holding accountable a health care company that sought to receive funds from the public fisc that it was not entitled. As they do every day, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will investigate, prosecute and recover public funds from those that engage in waste, fraud or abuse.”
The settlement addresses claims that Acadia's facilities admitted patients who were not eligible for inpatient treatment and failed to discharge patients no longer needing such care. Allegations also included inadequate staffing and poor training or supervision of staff leading to patient harm.
This case originated from whistleblower actions filed in April 2017 in federal courts in Tennessee and Florida under the federal False Claims Act. The states of Georgia, Michigan, and Nevada also conducted investigations into Acadia.
Florida will receive $2,289,565.53 as part of this settlement.
The Florida Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is tasked with investigating providers who defraud the state's Medicaid program through fraudulent billing practices. The unit also looks into patient abuse and neglect allegations at facilities funded by Medicaid.
For Fiscal Year 2025, the unit is supported by a grant totaling $30,510,157 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General. This includes a federal contribution covering 75% ($22,882,620) and a state match covering 25% ($7,627,537).