Connecticut Physiatrist and Practice Pay $427k to Settle False Claims, Improper Billing Allegations

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), today announced that PAIN MANAGEMENT, LLC, and its owner, HALINA SNOWBALL, M.D., have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal government and have paid $427,129.11 to resolve allegations that they submitted false claims to, and received overpayments from, the Medicare program.

Snowball is a physiatrist licensed to practice medicine and sole owner of her pain management practice, Pain Management, LLC in Stamford.  The allegations against Snowball and Pain Management arise out of improper billing for office visits, also known as evaluation and management (“E&M”) services.

The government contends that, between April 2017 and November 2019, Snowball and Pain Management submitted or caused to be submitted improper claims to Medicare for E&M services by adding Modifier 25 to E&M claims when providing pain injections when, in fact, no significant, separately identifiable E&M services were provided.  On November 20, 2019, Snowball and Pain Management were notified of their improper use of Modifier 25 and were assessed an overpayment.  Despite this notice, Snowball and Pain Management continued to submit improper claims to Medicare for E&M services until August 2023.

To resolve their liability, Snowball and Pain Management have paid $427,129.11.

This investigation was conducted by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Gruber.

People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.