Chiropractor Matthew Wood and his practice, Life Health Medical Center (“LHMC”), have agreed to pay $175,000 to resolve liability under the False Claims Act for allegations he improperly billed Medicare for the use of electro-acupuncture devices. From November 3, 2018 through February 28, 2020, Dr. Wood and LHMC billed Medicare for an implantable neurostimulator device, a device that typically requires a surgical procedure and is performed by a surgeon in an operating room. Medicare does not reimburse for electro-acupuncture devices as implantable neurostimulators nor acupuncture. LHMC also agreed to enter into an Integrity Agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that will require regular monitoring of its billing practices for a period of three years.
