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November 3, 2022

Medical practice to pay $533K to settle false claims allegation

William Tong
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo, New Haven Biz

A New Haven-based psychiatric practice accused of overbilling the state’s Medicaid program will pay $532,830 to resolve the allegation.

On Tuesday, Attorney General William Tong announced that his office had reached the Connecticut False Claims Act settlement with Psychiatric Care Consultants LLC and its owner, Dr. Kishorchandra Gonsai.

The business’ address is listed as 111 Park St., Suite 1G, in New Haven, according to the Secretary of the State’s office. Gonsai, a Hamden resident, is listed as the principal and president of the business, which was formed in 2009.

Tong’s office indicated it launched an investigation after receiving a referral from the state Department of Social Services.

The ensuing probe determined that Psychiatric Care Consultants (PCC) repeatedly billed the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program for either 45-minute or 30-minute psychotherapy sessions. However, investigators concluded the sessions had not been provided for the length of time claimed. The billed 45-minute sessions had actually been 30 minutes or less, and the billed 30-minute sessions had actually been 15 minutes or less, according to the Attorney General’s office.

State investigators said the fraudulent billings took place over a period of years - between June 1, 2017 and March 31, 2022.

According to Tong, the settlement “sends a strong message” that his office will not tolerate abuse of taxpayer money.

“Dr. Gonsai and PCC overbilled the state’s Medicaid program over a span of nearly five years for therapy services that were not provided at the level he claimed,” Tong said. “Our settlement forces Dr. Gonsai to return over half a million dollars to the state’s Medicaid program.”

Department of Social Services Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford said, “This unfortunate example of overbilling by a psychiatric care provider is a clear reminder that strong anti-fraud measures are in place to protect the integrity of our public health coverage programs.”  

To report suspected healthcare fraud, contact Tong’s office at 860-808-5040 or via email at ag.fraud@ct.gov.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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