Information and Alerts

Government Actions

MD AG Office for Consumer Protection v Aqua Vision Care, LLC

On 03/17/2025, the business entered into a settlement with the Maryland Attorney General Office for Consumer Protection allegations that it violated the Maryland False Health Claims Act by submitting or causing claims to be submitted to the Medicaid Program for vision services that were not provided. Aqua Vision certified that the services billed to the Medicaid program were furnished, medically indicated, and necessary to the health of the patients. Under the settlement, the business agreed to pay $143,336.00. 



The State’s allegations relate to claims submitted by Aqua Vision for eye exams. Aqua Vision, located in the 1000 block of Reisterstown Road in Pikesville, billed Medicaid monthly, and sometimes several times a month, for an eye exam for the same recipients. Medicaid covers a maximum of one optometric examination per year for recipients younger than 21 years and one optometric exam every two years for recipients 21 years and older, unless time limitations are waived by the Program, based on medical necessity.  





The amount paid in restitution represents $71,668.00 for vision care services that were not provided, as well as a civil penalty of $71,668.00.





For more details, go to: https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2025/031725.pdf

Please see the business' formal statement regarding the government action:

Aqua Vision was the victim of rogue/aberrant/fraud perpetrated by a former employee who intentionally submitted improper billing to increase their bonus payments. This individual, along with their accomplices, is no longer associated with Aqua Vision. At the time, all billing matters were exclusively signed and handled by this former manager, and no physician employed by the clinic had any knowledge of or involvement in these actions. 



Upon discovering the rogue/aberrant billing, Aqua Vision Management immediately terminated the employee and took corrective action. The Office of the Attorney General of the State of Maryland has been made fully aware of the circumstances, including the fact that no doctors were involved in or aware of this misconduct. Aqua Vision has voluntarily cooperated with the investigation, providing evidence that demonstrates the individual acted alone due to greed and likely malicious intent.



In our commitment to our patients and the integrity of our practice, Aqua Vision accepted a settlement which included a penalty in order to uphold our responsibilities and restore public trust and move on from this unfortunate incident from a former rogue employee manager. Aqua Vision will aggressively sue this rogue former employee to recover money due. We have since implemented enhanced security measures, rigorous training, and ongoing monitoring/audit to ensure compliance with ethical and proper billing practices.



Aqua Vision remains steadfast in its mission to provide high-quality vision services while safeguarding patient rights. Additionally, as a dedicated member of the community, we continue to offer free annual vision and healthcare screenings through our philanthropic initiatives.