Chiropractor Kevin Michael Brown of Menifee, California, has agreed to pay $180,000 to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by submitting hundreds of false claims to Medicare for surgically implanted neurostimulators. As part of the settlement, Brown stipulated that, through his companies, Revive Medical of San Diego and Revive Medical LLC, he submitted claims to Medicare for surgically implanted neurostimulator devices, even though his companies did not perform surgery or implant neurostimulators. They instead taped a disposable “electroacupuncture” device called “Stivax” to their patients’ ears. Stivax devices do not require surgical implantation and are not reimbursable by Medicare.
“In addition to the clinics in San Diego and Oklahoma City, Revive Medical personnel performed Stivax procedures at a pain clinic in Chico, which is in the Eastern District of California,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “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.”
Read a Department of Justice press release, August 5, 2024.
