Settlement Over Medicaid Fraud for Autism Service Provider

Trading Spaces, a former autism behavioral services provider situated in Glastonbury, has reached a settlement with the state for $710,815 to address allegations of Medicaid fraud.

According to a statement from Connecticut Attorney General Tong, this settlement comes after claims that the provider, Trading Spaces ABA, LLC, engaged in fraudulent activities.

Glenroy Patterson, the owner of Trading Spaces Inc., is involved in this settlement linked to violations of the False Claims Act.

Tong stated that Patterson and Trading Spaces knowingly submitted false claims to the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (CMAP).

This program includes the Medicaid services in Connecticut. The allegations indicate that Patterson and the service provider improperly charged for treatments related to autism.

Specifically, investigators noted that Patterson was a licensed CMAP provider as a board-certified behavior analyst from January 2017 until December 2021, and he was the sole proprietor of Trading Spaces.

The state’s lawsuit claims that they billed CMAP for behavioral treatment services provided to individuals under the age of 21 who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

However, there were no patient records or documents to back up these claims.

Tong expressed his disapproval of such misconduct in Connecticut, emphasizing that “Medicaid fraud steals from taxpayers and threatens care for those who need it most.” He is committed to holding accountable those who exploit the program.

This civil settlement follows a criminal investigation carried out by the Medicaid Fraud Enforcement Agency.

Patterson entered a no-contest plea regarding charges of Medicaid fraud and was sentenced in Hartford Superior Court on June 4.

At that time, he paid $102,084 in restitution.

The civil settlement amount of $710,815 reflects treble damages and civil penalties under the Connecticut False Claims Act, based on the claims examined in the criminal case.

Tong acknowledged the assistance of the Medicaid Fraud Enforcement Bureau and the Connecticut Department of Human Services Special Investigations Division for their roles in the investigation.