Dr. Kamal Kabakibou and his medical practice, "The Center for Pain Management," have agreed to a $3.5 million settlement with the government. The settlement resolves allegations of billing for unnecessary testing and mishandling opioid prescriptions, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. stated, "On behalf of those healthcare providers who correctly bill for medical procedures, and for the patients who rely on the safety net of federal healthcare programs, our office will continue to work vigorously with our federal agencies and law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable those providers who engage in misconduct." Dr. Kabakibou was accused of performing unnecessary tests and fraudulently billing Medicare, TRICARE, and the Department of Labor. He also pre-signed opioid prescriptions, which were distributed by unsupervised nurse practitioners. Dr. Kabakibou agreed to five years of monitoring by the DEA and a three-year integrity agreement with the Human Services Office of Inspector General, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
"Health care professionals are entrusted with accurately billing federal health care programs and prescribing controlled substances responsibly," said Special Agent in Charge Kelly J. Blackmon from the Human Services Office of Inspector General. The case involved a doctor who, according to DEA Atlanta Division Special Agent in Charge Jae Chung, "The moment he decided to carelessly distribute drugs and ignore his corresponding responsibility." The investigation, led by the FBI, DEA, and Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, was settled civilly by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony DeCinque, with input from former Assistant U.S. Attorney David O’Neal. These claims are allegations, and no liability has been determined, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
