Wilson Asfora, MD, Medical Designs, and Sicage Agreed to Be Excluded for 6 Years for Improper Remuneration to Induce the Use of Certain Medical Devices

On April 30, 2021, in connection with the resolution of their False Claims Act liability, Wilson Asfora, M.D. (Dr. Asfora), Medical Designs, LLC (Medical Designs), and Sicage, LLC (Sicage), South Dakota, agreed to be excluded under 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7(b)(7) for 6 years. The investigation revealed and OIG alleged that Dr. Asfora used his ownership in Medical Designs and Sicage to receive kickbacks in the form of profits for use of certain medical devices, some of which resulted in medically inappropriate use of such devices, in violation of the anti-kickback statute. OIG also alleged that Dr. Asfora solicited and received kickbacks from Medtronic USA, Inc. (Medtronic) in the form of social events at a restaurant owned by Dr. Asfora, including scores of expensive meals, to induce him to use Medtronic’s SynchroMed II intrathecal infusion pumps, in violation of the anti-kickback statute. Senior Counsels Karen Glassman and David Fuchs represented OIG.

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