Tulsa Physician Pays Over $600k to Resolve Allegations of False Claims Act Violations

TULSA, Okla. - This week, Dr. Azhar Shakeel, M.D. agreed to pay $619,994 to the government to resolve a pending lawsuit filed by the United States and the State of Oklahoma pursuant to their respective False Claims Act statutes.

"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. As a result, 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," said 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."

"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."

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 several federally funded health care programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, TriCare, ChampVA, and FEHB. Records submitted 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.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Oklahoma Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Offices of Inspectors General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marianne Hardcastle handled the matter for the United States. State Assistant Attorney General Jamie Bloyd, of the Oklahoma Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, represented the State of Oklahoma.

To report health care fraud, call 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or submit a hotline complaint online.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.