The Maryland Gazette

June 14, 2006 Wednesday

News In Brief

SECTION: INSIDE; Pg. A3

LENGTH: 669 words

Psychiatrist guilty in Medicaid fraud
A psychiatrist from Davidsonville has pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud, admitting he billed for services he never provided, the Attorney General’s Office said.
Oparaugo Ihentuge Udebiuwa, 46, whose office was in Baltimore, defrauded Medicaid out of $32,000 in a year.
He pleaded guilty Thursday to five misdemeanor counts in Baltimore City Circuit Court and will be sentenced Aug. 8. Each count carries a maximum of three years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
In addition to billing for fictitious services, the Attorney General’s Office said, Dr. Udebiuwa billed for longer visits than he provided, billed for medication management for patients who weren’t on medication and billed for family therapy that wasn’t being provided.
Dr. Udebiuwa’s license is on probation, according to the Maryland Board of Physicians. He was previously reprimanded in 2001 and 2003, the first time for “failure to conform to minimal standards of acceptable medical practice,” according to board records.