Laredo pain management physician Dr. Marte Martinez Jr., 44, has paid $340,437.68 to resolve allegations he falsely billed Medicare for the use of electro-acupuncture devices, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery on Friday, June 10.
Martinez conducts his medical practice as Marte A. Martinez M.D. PLLC.
From Aug. 23, 2019, to Feb. 12, 2020, Martinez billed Medicare for the implantation of neurostimulator electrodes, which are surgical procedures usually requiring use of an operating room. Medicare pays thousands of dollars per procedure.
Neither Martinez nor his staff performed surgery. Instead, patients received devices used for electro-acupuncture, which involved inserting needles into patients’ ears with the neurostimulator taped behind them with an adhesive.
To date, the Southern District of Texas has resolved four other settlements with a Katy anesthesiologist, a Houston pain doctor, a Rockport chiropractor, and a Houston chiropractor involving similar allegations of false billing.
The FBI and Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the assistance of Qlarant, the Unified Program Integrity Contractor for Medicare. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Gray handled the matter.
According to the press release from the U.S. Attorney, the claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Dr. Martinez was elected to the Laredo City Council in October of 2018 as a representative of District VI.
