Ex-Doctor Accused Of Fraud Agrees To Pay $82K Settlement

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A former Maryland psychotherapist has agreed to pay the state of Maryland $82,000 to settle allegations that he fraudulently billed Medicare and Medicaid for nearly five years, the attorney general's office announced Tuesday. This is in addition to a $400,000 settlement he reached with the federal government late last year.

M. Wagdi Attia — who had a medical practice in Gaithersburg — allegedly charged Medicare and Medicaid for psychotherapy services that required certain amounts of face time with patients from Jan. 1, 2013 through May 31, 2017, according to state officials.

According to prosecutors, doctors are required to document certain amounts of face-time with patients. Attia's medical records, however, showed that he spent less time with his patients than required.

"The State also alleged that Attia's medical records failed to reflect the provision of all elements of the psychotherapy service required, and that the use of repetitive language and stock phrases in his medical charts casts doubt on the nature and extent of the services he actually provided," state officials said in a statement.

Attia had a medical practice in Gaithersburg until April 1, 2018, according to the Maryland State's Attorneys Office said. His office was located at 604 S. Frederick Ave.

According to the settlement agreement, Attia has retired, let his medical license expire, and allowed his Medicare and Medicaid billing privileges to lapse.