A Houston pain management physician agreed to pay $390,082 to settle allegations that he submitted false Medicare claims for surgical implantation of neurostimulator electrodes, the Justice Department said in a June 3 release.
What happened?
- Between Dec. 7, 2021, and Dec. 14, 2022, Benjamin Tiongson, MD, allegedly billed Medicare for surgical implantation procedures that were never performed.
- Instead, patients reportedly received electro-acupuncture devices that involved inserting monofilament wires just a few millimeters into the ear, with the device taped behind the ear using adhesive.
- All procedures took place in Dr. Tiongson’s clinic, not a hospital or ASC and no incision was made.
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