Ryan K. Buchanan, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
Dr. Kamal Kabakibou and his medical practice, 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 for dispensing by a nurse practitioner during Dr. Kabakibou's absence from the country.
As part of this resolution, Dr. Kabakibou and his practice will submit regular monitoring reports to the Drug Enforcement Administration over the next 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 review by an independent organization.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr., emphasized their commitment to ensuring proper dispensing of opioids and wise 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.”
Kelly J. Blackmon, Special Agent in Charge at HHS-OIG, stated: “Health care professionals are entrusted with accurately billing federal health care programs and prescribing controlled substances responsibly.” Mathew Broadhurst from the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General highlighted concerns about placing profits above patient safety: “Medical providers who submit false claims...place illegal profits above patient safety.”
Jason Sargenski from DCIS stressed accountability within military healthcare systems: “This settlement should serve as a strong deterrent to healthcare practitioners who abandon their Hippocratic Oath while seeking to exploit and defraud TRICARE...” DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Jae Chung remarked on Dr. Kabakibou's responsibility regarding prescription drugs: “The moment he decided to carelessly distribute drugs...he became nothing more than a dangerous drug trafficker.”
Sean Burke from FBI Atlanta added that Medicare beneficiaries deserve unbiased treatment recommendations: “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 operates clinics in Atlanta and Blue Ridge, Georgia, using an in-house laboratory for urine drug tests allegedly billed unnecessarily to federal insurance programs such as Medicare, TRICARE, and others.
The CSA aims to prevent improper use of controlled substances like opioids through regulations prohibiting pre-signed prescriptions without supervision—an act alleged against Dr. Kabakibou when traveling abroad.
Multiple agencies collaborated on this investigation including the U.S Attorney’s Office for Northern District Georgia; departments within Health & Human Services; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Federal Bureau Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; Labor’s Office Inspector General among others led by Assistant U.S Attorney Anthony DeCinque alongside former colleague David O'Neal resolving these civil claims without determining liability yet.
For further information please contact U.S Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via email or phone provided below along with internet address link mentioned accordingly:
USAGAN.PressEmail@usdoj.gov
(404) 581-6016
