◆ Diversicare Healthcare Services Inc. has agreed to pay $9.5 million to settle false claims allegations over Medicare billing for therapy services at its skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) that weren’t necessary, reasonable or skilled, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee said Feb. 28.^[1] From Jan. 1, 2010, through Dec. 31, 2015, the government alleged Diversicare submitted claims for ultra-high levels of therapy despite evidence, for example, “the frequency and duration of physical or occupational therapy were not reasonable or necessary for the patient” and the intensity was inappropriate. Diversicare also allegedly “submitted forged, photocopied, or pre-signed physician signatures on pre-admission evaluation certifications required in the submission of claims to TennCare for nursing facility services.” Diversicare didn’t admit liability in the settlement.