A Maryland physician and his practice were ordered to pay $1.4 million for fraudulently billing Medicare.
What happened?
- Family physician Richard Akoto, M.D., of Takoma Park, Md., was accused of fraudulently billing Medicare for a complex neurosurgical procedure numerous times between January 17, 2019 and May 1, 2019, according to an Aug. 11 Justice Department news release.
- In his practice, Dr. Akoto used a P-Stim device, which delivers electrical acupuncture externally behind a patient’s ear to treat pain symptoms. Acupuncture services are not reimbursable by Medicare.
- The Justice Department alleged that Dr. Akoto falsely billed Medicare using a code for an implantable neurostimulator device, which is surgically implanted into a patient and typically performed by a surgeon in an operating room.
