Columbus, Georgia (WRBL) — The owner of the Southeast Regional Pain Center (SRPC) in Columbus, Georgia has agreed to pay a $1 million civil penalty to settle multiple alleged violations of federal law.
MD Kenneth Barngrover was registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and operated a workers’ compensation pharmacy outside the SRPC, licensed to dispense controlled substances.
Dr. Barngrover’s work was believed to violate the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and False Claims Act (FCA).
The following alleged violations were resolved in this settlement.
- Inability to maintain biennial inventory
- Failure to maintain current, complete and accurate records of controlled substances
- Collecting medicines without DEA authority or documentation of receipts
- Claims for Medically Unnecessary Evaluation and Administrative Services Medicare and Tricare
- Upgraded Rating and Management Service
- Psychological testing services that were not adequately provided.
CSA supports recordkeeping requirements for handling controlled substances. These requirements are intended to ensure proper handling, accounting and distribution of controlled substances.
The FCA imposes civil penalties on those who commit fraud within federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
Dr. Barngrover also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) with the DEA. This is valid for the next three years.
The settlement resolved the allegations, but there was no determination or admission of liability.
The claims resolved by this Settlement are claims only and not determinations or admissions of liability.
The case was filed by DEA-Diversion Investigator Chris Crutchfield of the Atlanta District Office, Special Agent Kevin White of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General’s Office (HHS OIG), and Brian Chris of the U.S. Department of Defense-The Pentagon. Investigated by Cofer. criminal investigation services. (DoD DCIS).
