Aaron Oxenrider and Access 2 Integration Agreed to Be Excluded for 7 Years for Causing the Submission of False Claims for Neuro-Stimulators

On August 17, 2021, in connection with the resolution of their False Claims Act liability, Aaron Oxenrider (Oxenrider), and Baron, Inc. d/b/a Access 2 Integration (A2I), Indiana, agreed to be excluded under 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7(b)(7) for seven years.  The investigation revealed and OIG alleged that Oxenrider and A2I falsely represented to health care providers that it was appropriate to submit claims to Medicare for reimbursement: (a) for auricular electro-acupuncture devices, including the P-Stim and Stivax devices by submitting claims for Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes, including L8679; and (b) for the medical provider’s services applying the P-Stim and Stivax devices by submitting claims for a variety of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. However, the HCPCS and CPT codes that Oxenrider and A2I promoted were at all times intended to reimburse for materials and services related to surgically implanted neuro-stimulators that are implanted under the skin by a surgeon in a surgical setting. The P-Stim and Stivax devices are not implantable neurostimulators and are instead external devices that are applied to patients' ears without anesthesia in a medical office setting. Medicare does not reimburse for electro-acupuncture devices and related services. Senior Counsel Katie Fink represented OIG.

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