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Posted: 5:31 AM Nov 22, 2008
NC Doctor To Pay $1.7 Million To Settle Fraud Case
A North Carolina doctor will pay more than $1 million to settle allegations he bilked the government out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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9 Comments 
A North Carolina doctor will pay more than $1 million to settle allegations he bilked the government out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Department of Justice said Friday that Dr. Benedict Okwara of Charlotte has agreed to pay $1.7 million to settle allegations that he billed Medicare, Medicaid and the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program for more services than he provided.
The settlement ends a multiyear investigation over bills Okwara submitted between 1999 and 2006.
Okwara's settlement is twice the amount he billed the government. He also will be required to have an auditor monitor his billing practices for a five-year period.
Okwara owns First Care Medical Clinic, which has offices in Monroe, Indian Trail, Locust and Albemarle.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Latest Comments
It happens more than you think, folks. It's not always intentional. However, some irresponsible employees do not adequately keep up with records and may bill patients twice. Remember, doctors' primary job is to care for the patients, not handle financial matters. However, the doctor has to be held accountable for the financial transactions of his/her medical practice because he/she is the sole owner.
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Trust me, theres many dr offices, hospitals, and clinics, that overcharge insurances,medicare and it doesnt get reported. I personally got billed twice for labs from a dr office here in greenville, and in emerald isle, the dr office knew what they were doing double charging for one lab. Please people, report these drs when you get overcharged, at least notify police, or consumer hotlines, and keep your statement for evidence. this is a big problem that needs fixed.
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FC... Could not agree with you more. I would bet my paycheck many transport companies falsify records. One in Washington, particularly comes to mind. As a paid Firefighter/ Medic, some (not all)transport companies give us a bad name. They know who they are.
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