A Lehigh Valley breast pump and maternity product provider will pay $1 million to settle federal allegations of false reimbursement claims.
Scottie Girl LLC, doing business as The Breastfeeding Shop with a location at 431 Chestnut St. in Emmaus, and owner Patty Gatter will pay the money as a part of a settlement agreement with the United States, according to a Dec. 1 news release from U.S. Attorney David Metcalf of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the agreement resolves allegations that The Breastfeeding Shop submitted false claims for reimbursement for breast pumps and related equipment for beneficiaries of TRICARE, the health care program managed by the Defense Health Agency for U.S. military members, retirees and their families.
The government accused the business of billing TRICARE hundreds of dollars more per breast pump than it charged to the state’s Medicaid program as well as billing TRICARE separately for breast pump accessories that were included in the standard kit.
“Fraud involving TRICARE, the healthcare system for military members and their families, is something we take seriously and will investigate fully,” Christopher Silvestro, acting special agent in charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service Northeast Field Office, said in the release.
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