Maryland Optometry Practice Settles Medicaid Fraud Allegations for $143,000

A Pikesville optometry practice has agreed to pay over $143,000 to settle allegations of Medicaid fraud, according to Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. The settlement resolves claims that Aqua Vision Care, LLC, located on Reisterstown Road, improperly billed Medicaid for vision services that were not provided. The case also involves licensed optometrist Kelechi Mezu Nnabue, who certified the services billed as medically necessary.

State investigators determined that Aqua Vision submitted multiple claims for eye exams for the same patients beyond Medicaid’s coverage limits. Under the program, recipients under 21 are eligible for one eye exam per year, while those 21 and older qualify for an exam every two years unless medical necessity allows for more frequent visits. Aqua Vision allegedly billed Medicaid several times a month for the same patients, violating these regulations.

The settlement includes $71,668 in restitution for improperly billed services and an additional $71,668 as a civil penalty. The investigation was conducted by the Maryland Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit, with contributions from Assistant Attorney General Catherine Schuster Pascale, Senior Investigators Gordon Carew and Shannon Beatty, and Senior Fraud Analyst Todd Sheffer.

The Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, amounting to nearly $6.85 million for the 2025 fiscal year. The remaining 25%, approximately $2.28 million, is provided by the State of Maryland. The Attorney General’s Office continues to investigate and pursue cases of Medicaid fraud to protect taxpayer funds and ensure compliance with state and federal laws.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the Maryland Office of the Attorney General.

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