Bowie Doctor Gave Opioids Without Cause, Defrauded Medicaid: MD

BOWIE, MD — A Prince George's County doctor prescribed opioids and anxiety medicine without a medical purpose, officials alleged on Wednesday. Authorities identified the suspect as 66-year-old Vitalis Ohakwe Ojiegbe of Bowie. An incident report noted that Ojiegbe faces:

• 32 counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance
• one count of Medicaid fraud

The press release mentioned that Ojiegbe, a physician specializing in internal medicine, owned and operated Sunrise Medical Clinic located at 9821 Greenbelt Road in Lanham. Ojiegbe was a Medicaid provider until November 2015 when he voluntarily left the program, the write-up added.

Prosecutors accused Ojiegbe of charging his patients, many of whom were on Medicaid, $200 per monthly visit. The victims could have seen a Medicaid provider for free, officials explained. This scheme lasted from January 2013 through June 9, 2019, authorities reported.

The release indicated that Ojiegbe prescribed drugs like oxycodone and alprazolam without a legitimate medical reason. The write-up clarified that many patients used Medicaid to pay for these illegitimate prescriptions, though "Ojiegbe knew or had reason to know that his patients would use Medicaid to pay."

"We allege that Ojiegbe abused his position as a physician and contributed to the spread of opioid addiction in our state," Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh said in a press release. "He enriched himself and exploited his vulnerable patients."

Frosh wrote that:

• Felony Medicaid fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years and up to a $100,000 fine.
• Distribution carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and up to a $25,000 fine. This potential sentence and fine could be less depending on what schedule, or severity, the drugs are.

Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program that serves residents with low income.

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