Tareen Dermatology Agrees to Pay More Than $1.6 Million to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Violations

MINNEAPOLIS – Tareen Dermatology, P.A., Dr. Mohiba Tareen, and Basir Tareen, CEO (collectively, the “Defendants”) have agreed to pay the Unites States $1.63 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to Medicare and other government payors for dermatology services and treatment. 

The settlement resolves allegations that the Defendants caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare and VA-administered programs in connection with Mohs surgeries, services billed as though performed under the supervision of Dr. Tareen on days she was not physically present in the clinic, office visits for which Defendants inappropriately waived beneficiary co-pays, and the use of certain skin grafts in circumstances in which their usage was not justified as billed.

The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Carrie Cremin and Susanne Polzin. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of a recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States of America, et al., ex rel. Carrie Cremin and Susanne Polzin v. Tareen Dermatology P.A., Dr. Mohiba Tareen, and Dr. Basir Tareen, Case No. 19-cv-2457.

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen E. Rau handled the matter.

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