Maryland Family Medical Practitioner Ordered to Pay Over $1.4 Million for Medicare Fraud

Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland has secured a judgment of more than $1.4 million against Dr. Richard Akoto, M.D., and his practice, Richard O. Akoto, M.D. PC, located in Takoma Park, Maryland. This judgment stems from findings by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland that Dr. Akoto engaged in fraudulent billing practices by submitting false claims to the Medicare program. The fraudulent claims were related to the use of P-Stim devices, a form of electrical acupuncture used for pain management.

The investigation revealed that Dr. Akoto billed Medicare for the non-invasive P-Stim devices using a code designated for surgically implanted neurostimulator devices. This coding misrepresentation falsely presented a simple external treatment as a complex surgical procedure, which is typically performed by a surgeon in an operating room. This practice occurred numerous times between January 17, 2019, and May 1, 2019. Medicare does not reimburse for acupuncture, whether electrical or otherwise. The judgment awarded to the United States totals $1,407,493.23.

This case highlights the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to combating healthcare fraud and protecting taxpayer funds. The prosecution of such cases aims to ensure the integrity of federal healthcare programs. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) collaborated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this investigation.

This action serves as a reminder to healthcare providers of the requirement for accurate billing practices when participating in federal programs like Medicare. The HHS-OIG and the U.S. Attorney’s Office indicate they will continue to scrutinize and address inaccurate billing, particularly concerning devices like P-Stim.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland encourages individuals to report any suspected instances of healthcare fraud. Information on how to report such activities is available on their website.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland

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