Former Maryland Physician Agrees to Pay $400,000 to the United States to Resolve Allegations of Fraudulent Billing for Psychotherapy Services

Baltimore, Maryland – M. Wagdi Attia, M.D., a physician who until April 1, 2018 had a medical practice in Gaithersburg, Maryland, has agreed to pay the United States $400,000 to resolve allegations that from January 1, 2013 through May 31, 2017, Dr. Attia fraudulently billed Medicare and Medicaid for services not rendered.

The settlement agreement was announced today by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.

The United States contends that during the period January 1, 2013 through May 31, 2017, Dr. Attia billed Medicare for psychotherapy services that were not rendered.  Specifically, the allegation is that Dr. Attia billed Medicare and Medicaid for psychotherapy services that require certain documented amounts of face-to-face service with the patient, even though Dr. Attia’s time-stamped medical records reflected less than the required amount of time.  The United States also contends that Dr. Attia’s medical records failed to reflect the provision of all elements of the psychotherapy service required, and that the use of repetitive, common language from chart to chart raised questions about the nature and extent of the services actually provided.

According to the settlement agreement, Dr. Attia has retired from the practice of medicine, has allowed his medical license to expire, has allowed his Medicare and Medicaid billing privileges to lapse, and has no intention of renewing his license or Medicare/Medicaid billing privileges.

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations.  The settlement is not an admission of liability by Dr. Attia, nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded. 

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur thanked Assistant United States Attorney Allen Loucks, who handled this case.

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