An Ohio physician, Ronald F. Ambrosia, has agreed to a settlement involving a payment of $600,000 plus contingent payments to the United States. This settlement resolves allegations under the False Claims Act that he submitted fraudulent Medicare claims concerning electro-acupuncture devices.
Ambrosia, 56, based in Powell, Ohio, is licensed to practice medicine in the state and provided electrical nerve pulse stimulation services at various facilities across Ohio. The allegations pertain to his billing practices from 2016 to 2018 for procedures involving percutaneous electrical nerve pulse stimulation devices (known as "P-Stim Device") used for chronic pain treatment.
The P-Stim Device is designed to be affixed behind a patient's ear with adhesive and involves inserting needles into the ear. It delivers intermittent electrical pulses and is intended for single-use until its battery depletes. Despite this, Ambrosia allegedly billed these procedures as surgically implanted neurostimulators without involving surgery or anesthesia, which contradicted guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the settlement. The investigation was conducted by agents from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Linda Mindrutiu and W. Hunter West are handling representation for the United States in this matter.
It should be noted that the claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.