Date: February 5, 2025
Cardiovascular Business, Fox23 News, and other publications reported on a recent settlement resolving allegations that an Oklahoma cardiology clinic manipulated medical documents to charge government insurance programs for services that weren't provided or to charge higher rates than services called for. Brittney Summers, a former nurse practitioner at Cardiovascular Specialists, blew the whistle on the potential fraud. Ms. Summers was represented by TELG principal Janel Quinn.
[EXCERPT]
Oklahoma cardiologist and his clinic pay $270K to settle whistleblower lawsuit
A cardiology clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the cardiologist who owns it have agreed to pay $270,000 to settle allegations of submitting false claims to both Medicare and TRICARE. U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester of the Western District of Oklahoma confirmed the news in an official statement from the Department of Justice.
The U.S. government alleges that Stewart Katz, MD, and Cardiovascular Specialists submitted or helped submit reimbursement claims for evaluation and management (E&M) services under Katz’s personal National Provider Identification number — even though Katz did not perform the services or even supervise as they were performed. The alleged scheme lasted from January 2016 to February 2020.
[…]
These false claims allegations all stem from a whistleblower lawsuit filed in Oklahoma City by a former employee of Cardiovascular Specialists. That individual will now receive some of $270,000 being paid to the U.S. government.
>> View full story on Cardiovascular Business
[OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT]
Cardiology Clinic and Physician Pay $270,000 to Settle Allegations of Submitting False Claims to Medicare and TRICARE
From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Oklahoma (December 30, 2024)
OKLAHOMA CITY — Cardiovascular Specialists, Inc., (“Cardiovascular Specialists”) and Stewart Katz, MD (“Dr. Katz”), paid $270,000 to settle civil claims stemming from allegations that Cardiovascular Specialists and Dr. Katz submitted false claims to Medicare and TRICARE, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Cardiovascular Specialists is an Oklahoma corporation which operated a cardiology clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, (“Clinic”). Dr. Katz is a cardiologist who owned and practiced at the Clinic. The United States alleges that from January 1, 2016, through February 28, 2020, Cardiovascular Specialists and Dr. Katz engaged in improper “incident-to” billing. Specifically, Cardiovascular Specialists and Dr. Katz submitted or caused the submission of claims to Medicare for the payment of evaluation and management (“E&M”) services under Dr. Katz’ National Provider Identification number that were performed by nurse practitioners when Dr. Katz was not in the Clinic supervising them. The United States also alleges that from January 1, 2015, through June 16, 2022, Cardiovascular Specialists and Dr. Katz submitted or caused the submission of claims to Medicare and TRICARE for E&M services that should have been billed at a lower reimbursement level. To resolve the claims, Cardiovascular Specialists and Dr. Katz agreed to pay $270,000 to the United States.
» View press release on Justice.gov
[ADDITIONAL COVERAGE]
Cardiology clinic, physician pay $270k to settle false insurance claims allegations
From Fox23 News (February 3, 2025)
TULSA, Okla. — Cardiovascular Specialists Inc. and Stewart Katz MD paid $270,000 to settle civil claims stemming from allegations of submitting false claims to Medicare and TRICARE.
[…]
The settlement resolves allegations filed in a lawsuit by a whistleblower who formerly worked for the clinic. The lawsuit was filed in federal district court under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permits private individuals to sue on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in the recovery. The Act also allows the United States to intervene in the lawsuit.
» View full story on Fox23 News
PRESS RELEASE: Cardiology clinic, physician pay $270,000 to settle allegations of false Medicare claims
From Oklahoma City Free Press (December 31, 2024)
The United States Department of Justice sends this information posted below:
OKLAHOMA CITY — Cardiovascular Specialists, Inc., (“Cardiovascular Specialists”) and Stewart Katz, MD (“Dr. Katz”), paid $270,000 to settle civil claims stemming from allegations that Cardiovascular Specialists and Dr. Katz submitted false claims to Medicare and TRICARE, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
