U S PHYSICAL THERAPY INC NV

We are a party to various legal actions, proceedings, and claims (some of which are not insured), and regulatory and other governmental audits and investigations in the ordinary course of our business. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of pending litigation, proceedings, regulatory and other governmental audits and investigations. These matters could potentially subject the Company to sanctions, damages, recoupments, fines, and other penalties. The Department of Justice, CMS, or other federal and state enforcement and regulatory agencies may conduct additional investigations related to our businesses in the future that may, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, and liquidity.

Healthcare providers are subject to lawsuits under the qui tam provisions of the federal False Claims Act. Qui tam lawsuits typically remain under seal for some time while the government decides whether or not to intervene on behalf of a private qui tam plaintiff (known as a relator) and take the lead in the litigation. These lawsuits can involve significant monetary damages and penalties and award bounties to private plaintiffs who successfully bring the suits. We have been a defendant in these cases in the past and may be named as a defendant in similar cases from time to time in the future.

Prior Florida Legal Matter

In 2019, a qui tam lawsuit (“the Complaint”) was filed by a relator on behalf of the United States against us and one of our Florida majority-owned subsidiaries (the “Hale Partnership”). This whistleblower lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, seeking damages and civil penalties under the federal False Claim Act. The U.S Government declined to intervene in the case and unsealed the Complaint in July 2019. The Complaint alleged that the Hale Partnership engaged in conduct to purposely “upcode” its billings for services provided to Medicare patients. The plaintiff-relator also claimed that similar false claims occurred on other days and at other Company-owned partnerships.

In January 2022, we entered into a settlement agreement with the plaintiff-relator. In the settlement agreement, the plaintiff-relator released all defendants from liability for all conduct alleged in the Complaint, and the Company admitted no liability or wrongdoing. In connection with the settlement, the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas agreed to a dismissal of the claims against the Hale Partnership and the Company. Under the terms of the settlement, we agreed to make aggregate payments to the government, the plaintiff-relator and her counsel of $2.8 million.