AG Levies $186K Civil Judgment Against Newtown Psychologist

NEWTOWN, CT — The State Attorney General's Office has announced a $186,731 civil judgment secured this week against a Newtown registered nurse and psychologist for Medicaid fraud.

Jeannie V. Pasacreta operated Integrated Mental Health Services, LLC in Newtown, a psychotherapy and medication administration practice from 2013 to 2018. A joint investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General and the Chief State’s Attorney’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit revealed that during the period from 2016 or earlier and continuing through 2018, Pasacreta knowingly created and submitted false claims to the Connecticut Medicaid program and collected tens of thousands of dollars for psychotherapy and medical services that she never provided to her Medicaid patients.

The investigation was initiated by a complaint to the state AG's Office from a former employee of Pasacreta’s practice that the her boss received "very large" payments from Medicaid even though she "barely works" and was "constantly canceling" appointments with patients.

According to the AG's Office, the investigation found that Pasacreta’s fraudulent claims used billing codes that reimbursed her at the highest possible rates, for the longest psychotherapy sessions, and for the most complex medical services.

"This case involved fabrication of hundreds of false claims, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in payments for services never provided. This civil judgment follows a related guilty plea, both of which will result in significant restitution for the Connecticut Medicaid program," said Attorney General Tong.