SC Early Autism Project pays $8.8 Million to Settle False Claims

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO)–South Carolina’s largest provider of behavioral therapy for children with autism is paying the federal government $8.8 million to settle fraud allegations.
After an investigation the US Attorney’s Office says the EAP submitted false claims to Tricare and the South Carolina Medicaid programs for therapy services for children with autism.
Officials say those services were misrepresented, or not provided at all.
The Early Autism Project released this statement:

“Early Autism Project reached a financial settlement with the federal government solely
to allow us to continue our focus on providing life-changing Applied Behavior Analysis
therapy to children with autism spectrum and related disorders. We admit no
wrongdoing and the Corporate Integrity Agreement with the government clearly states
that the terms apply to Early Autism Project only.
Early Autism Project has been cooperating fully with a government investigation of
billing practices that were in place before ChanceLight began operating EAP in 2013.
Since then, we have been taking every possible action to ensure accuracy and
compliance with all regulations.
We hired outside experts who helped evaluate and enhance billing practices. We
established a Central Billing Office staffed by 26 credentialed medical billers, we
established a Compliance Department to ensure compliance with all regulations
regarding billing, and we established a compliance hotline and website staffed by an
independent third party to receive parent or employee concerns about billing practices.
Additionally, we have created a data integrity unit to provide additional checks and
balances, and an information technology unit to provide technology support.
We have maintained constant communication with the Department of Disabilities and
Special Needs and Health and Human Services to ensure our documentation of the
quality services we provide meets their requirements.

South Carolina is a leader in providing therapy for children who have autism, and we
look forward to continuing to partner with the state to serve children and families
throughout the state of South Carolina.”