A Riverside County chiropractor who allegedly submitted hundreds of fraudulent Medicare claims through his clinics in California and Oklahoma has agreed to pay $180,000 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of California.
As part of the settlement, Kevin Michael Brown of Menifee confessed that he submitted claims to Medicare for patients who received a disposable “electroacupuncture” device called “Stivax” taped to their ears, but billed Medicare for surgically implanted neurostimulator devices.
“As this case demonstrates, we are committed to vigorously pursuing those who defraud Medicare and will use all tools available to us, including civil enforcement remedies. The investigation into false claims involving Stivax is ongoing,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert in the press release.
The alleged fraudulent billings occurred at Mr. Brown’s clinics Revive Medical of San Diego and Revive Medical LLC of Oklahoma City, as well as at a pain management clinic in Chico, California, which was performed by Revive Medical staff. As part of the agreement, Mr. Brown has agreed to not bill Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federal health care program for five years.
Special agent in charge Steven J. Ryan of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, said his office will continue to crack down on such cases “to protect the integrity of federal health care programs and those served.”
