Evergreen Reporter

Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced a settlement involving Dr. Henry Goolsby, his wife Patricia Lenae Goolsby, and their clinic, Infinite Health Integrative Medical Center. The Lake Charles-based physician and his co-founder have agreed to pay $450,000 to resolve allegations of improper billing under the False Claims Act.

Between November 2018 and April 2020, Dr. Goolsby and Infinite Health billed Medicare for implanted neurostimulators that require surgical procedures. These devices deliver stimulation to the epidural space on the spinal cord and must be performed in a surgery center. However, Dr. Goolsby applied "P-Stim" devices in his office to patients' ears instead of performing surgery.

The P-Stim device is an electric acupuncture tool affixed behind a patient's ear with adhesive. It uses needles inserted into the ear and provides intermittent electrical pulses for approximately four days until its battery depletes. Medicare does not cover acupuncture or similar devices like P-Stim as neurostimulators.

"Falsely submitting claims for non-covered services and bilking Medicare out of needed funds is an abuse of our healthcare system," said Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. He emphasized that such fraud undermines the Medicare program, and efforts will continue to hold accountable those who defraud federally funded healthcare programs.

Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General stated, "This settlement underscores our steadfast commitment to enforcing the False Claims Act." He affirmed their dedication to protecting federal health care programs' integrity by investigating misuse schemes.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and managed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Theriot.