Tulsa, Okla. (KFOR) - The United States Department of Justice Clinton J. Johnson, United States Attorney Northern District of Oklahoma announced on Friday, the resolution of a pending lawsuit filed against Tulsa native Dr. Azhar Shakeel, M.D.
The Department of Justice confirmed, Dr. Azhar Shakeel M.D. has agreed to pay $619,994 pursuant to the False Claims Act statutes. Healthcare billing rules require the provider to
ensure that the claims submitted reflect the services provided.
According to court documents, from March 2017 through October 2023, Dr. Shakeel submitted claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid, TriCare, ChampVA, and FEHB.
Records submitted says the Department of Justice, during that period alleged that Dr. Shakeel saw and rendered services to patients; however, the investigation revealed that the doctor was out of the office and traveled for more than 175 days.
Dr. Shakeel owns and operates Urgent Care of Muskogee PLLC, Urgent Care of Checotah PLLC, and Muskogee Medical Care PLLC, according to the Department of Justice.
“This case resolution demonstrates holding physicians and health care providers accountable for fraudulent billing of government health care programs,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
“Through our coordinated efforts with law enforcement partners, we will continue to protect these programs. "
U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson confirmed, fraud proceeds are returned to American taxpayers and the health care programs that support our most vulnerable population.
“I appreciate the successful collaboration by multiple law enforcement agencies and the tremendous work by the Oklahoma Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to resolve this case and return the tax dollars that were wrongfully taken from Oklahomans,”
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
“Healthcare providers have a responsibility to bill government healthcare programs fairly and I will always work to hold accountable anyone who tries to cheat the system,” said Drummond.
“Federal health care programs like Medicare rely on providers billing correctly and following the rules. Taxpayers who fund these programs deserve no less," said Jason E. Meadows, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to ensure that those who submit false claims to Medicare are held accountable and that the Medicare trust fund is restored."
