Wrongful billing results in $2.6M settlement and 10-year exclusion from federal health care programs

HOUSTON, TX -- A 46-year-old chiropractor and her medical group have agreed to pay in order to resolve allegations of fraudulent billing, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Suhyun An owns and manages Campbell Medical Group PLLC and Johnson Medical Group PLLC dba Campbell Medical Clinic in the Spring Valley area of Houston.

In March 2021, the United States filed a civil complaint against An alleging she fraudulently obtained over $3.9 million from the Medicare and TRICARE programs by billing for the implantation of neurostimulator electrodes. These are surgical procedures usually requiring use of an operating room for which Medicare pays thousands of dollars An’s staff did not perform surgery. In fact, nurses at the clinic were trained to use the devices in part by watching YouTube videos.

An knew the devices were not billable or recklessly disregarded that fact. She and her staff ignored warnings and specific guidance from Medicare contractors and her own outside billing companies, including warnings that the devices were being labeled as “possible fraud.”

In addition to the $2.6 million financial settlement, An and her medical entities have agreed to a 10-year-period of exclusion from participation in any federal health care programs.

To date, the Southern District of Texas has resolved three other settlements with a Katy anesthesiologist, a Houston pain doctor and a Rockport chiropractor involving similar allegations of false billing.

The Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General and Defense Criminal Investigation Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Gray handled the matter.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.