Baltimore, Maryland – A family medical doctor and his practice have been ordered to pay a staggering $1,407,493.23 for their role in a Medicare fraud scheme.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced that Dr. Richard Akoto, M.D., and his practice, Richard O. Akoto, M.D. PC, located in Takoma Park, Maryland, were found guilty of submitting false claims to the Medicare program.
The scheme, which lasted from January 17, 2019 to May 1, 2019, involved Dr. Akoto using auricular stimulation (P-Stim) devices to treat patients for pain, but fraudulently billing Medicare for a complex neurosurgical procedure.
A P-Stim device provides electrical acupuncture to treat pain symptoms and is applied externally to the patient, generally behind the patient’s ear using an adhesive to hold the device in place. Acupuncture, electrical or otherwise, is not reimbursable by Medicare.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes announced the judgment with Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).
‘Dr. Akoto knowingly submitted false claims by billing non-invasive P-Stim devices as surgical implants – an unconscionable and blatant misrepresentation to exploit the Medicare system,’ Hayes said.
‘This type of fraud not only wastes taxpayer dollars, it also undermines trust in our healthcare system. The U.S. Attorney’s office is committed to continuing to work with our partners to identify and eliminate this kind of waste and abuse of our federal health care programs.’
Related Federal Cases
- Eijroghene Okuma, $10M Investment Fraud, Atlanta GA, 2023 · Maryland
- Unidentified Banker Charged with $5M Fraud Scheme, USA, 2023 · New York
- McKenzie Marie Earley, $10M Wire Fraud, C.D. California, 2023 · Pennsylvania
- William Frazier Sentenced to 51 Months for Wire Fraud, Midland GA, … · Washington
- Dr. George Robert Vito, Bankruptcy Fraud, Macon GA, 2013 · Alabama
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News