Oklahoma Medical Clinic, Owners, and Treating Physician Pay $246,000 to Settle Allegations of Submitting False Medicare Claims for Medically Unnecessary Ultrasound Procedures

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Medical Clinic, LLC (“OMC”), Tracy Ellis, D.C., (“Dr. Ellis”) and Tristan Ellis (“Mrs. Ellis”), paid $150,000 to resolve allegations that they submitted or caused the submission of false claims to the Medicare program for medically unnecessary ultrasound procedures, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester. In a separate agreement Mark L. Wells, PA-C (“Mr. Wells”), paid $96,000 to resolve allegations he, as the practitioner treating the patients and performing the medically unnecessary ultrasound services, caused the submission of false claims to the Medicare program.    

OMC was an Oklahoma limited liability company that provided chiropractic, medical and durable medical equipment services in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dr. Ellis is a chiropractic physician licensed to practice in the State of Oklahoma who worked at OMC during the relevant time and was responsible for the submission of claims to Medicare. Mrs. Ellis was a part owner of OMC and was aware of the services provided by OMC. Mr. Wells is a physician assistant licensed to practice in the State of Oklahoma who worked at OMC during the relevant time.

The United States alleges that from December 1, 2017, through November 30, 2022, OMC billed Medicare for medically unnecessary ultrasound services performed by Mr. Wells. The Medicare program does not cover medically unreasonable or unnecessary services and supplies, including, for example, excessive and/or unnecessary diagnostic procedures. To resolve these allegations, OMC and the Ellis’ paid $150,000, and Mr. Wells paid $96,000, to the United States.

In reaching this settlement, OMC, the Ellis’, and Mr. Wells did not admit liability, and the government did not make any concessions about the legitimacy of the claims. The agreement allows the parties to avoid the delay, expense, inconvenience, and uncertainty involved in litigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda R. Johnson and Ronald R. Gallegos prosecuted the case. Investigative assistance was provided by HHS-OIG Office of Audit Services.