Dr. Kamal Kabakibou and his medical practice, Kamal Kabakibou, M.D., P.C., known as "The Center for Pain Management," have agreed to a $3.5 million settlement with the United States. The settlement addresses allegations under the False Claims Act (FCA) and the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) related to billing for unnecessary testing and pre-signing opioid prescriptions while Dr. Kabakibou was abroad.
As part of the agreement, Dr. Kabakibou and his practice will submit regular monitoring reports to the Drug Enforcement Administration over five years. They have also entered into a three-year integrity agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), which includes an annual claims review by an independent organization.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr., emphasized the importance of proper opioid dispensing and responsible spending of federal healthcare funds: "Our office will continue to insist that dangerous opioids be properly dispensed and that federal healthcare dollars be wisely spent."
Special Agent in Charge Kelly J. Blackmon from HHS-OIG highlighted their commitment to holding accountable those who exploit federal health care programs: “Health care professionals are entrusted with accurately billing federal health care programs and prescribing controlled substances responsibly.”
Mathew Broadhurst, Special Agent-in-Charge at the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, commented on protecting worker compensation programs: “Medical providers who submit false claims... place illegal profits above patient safety.”
Jason Sargenski from the Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General stressed deterring fraud against TRICARE: “This settlement should serve as a strong deterrent to healthcare practitioners who abandon their Hippocratic Oath.”
Jae Chung from DEA Atlanta Division stated: “Dr. Kamal Kabakibou had a responsibility to issue controlled substance prescriptions for a legitimate medical purpose... he became nothing more than a dangerous drug trafficker.”
FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent Sean Burke noted concerns about treatment recommendations being financially motivated: “Medicare beneficiaries should never have to question whether treatment recommendations are based on their doctors’ best financial interests rather than their best medical advice.”
Dr. Kabakibou runs pain-management clinics in Atlanta and Blue Ridge, Georgia, using an in-house lab for urine drug tests. The government alleges unnecessary testing was performed on patients, with claims submitted to federal health insurance like Medicare and TRICARE.
The CSA aims to prevent improper use of controlled substances by prohibiting DEA registrants from issuing prescriptions outside professional practice norms.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern District of Georgia, HHS-OIG, Department of Defense's DCIS, FBI, DEA, and DOL's Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony DeCinque reached the civil settlement; former Assistant U.S. Attorney David O’Neal also contributed to the investigation.
The allegations resolved by this settlement remain unproven without any determination of liability.
For further information contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmail@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.