HOUSTON - A 52-year-old Pearland man has agreed to pay $948,359.85 in a settlement after allegations of submitting false claims for the surgical implantation of neurostimulator electrodes.

Dr. Basem Hamid is a neurologist and pain medicine doctor who practices in Houston.

According to documents from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Hamid billed Medicare for the surgical implantation of neurostimulator electrodes from Aug. 27, 2019, to Oct. 3, 2022. It is an invasive procedure usually requiring the use of an operating room. Because of that, Medicare pays thousands of dollars per procedure.

However, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani says allegations were made that neither Hamid nor his staff performed these surgical procedures.

Instead, patients allegedly received devices used for electro-acupuncture, which only involved inserting monofilament wire a few millimeters into patients’ ears and taping the neurostimulator behind the ear with an adhesive. All device placements took place in Hamid’s clinic, not a hospital or surgical center, and no incision was made on a patient, according to the allegations. Many patients claimed the adhesive came loose and the device fell off on its own accord within a few days.

"Individuals suffering from chronic pain put their faith in skilled medical professionals to help them find relief and improve their quality of life," said Hamdani. "Our federal health care system entrusts providers with the medical care of our country’s most...

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