The operator of some Oklahoma dental clinics has agreed to pay more than $5 million to settle allegations that it submitted false Medicaid claims.
Federal and state prosecutors said Friday they had alleged that Ocean Dental, which operates clinics throughout the state, submitted false Medicaid claims for work that was either never performed or billed at higher rates than allowed.
Officials alleged former Ocean Dental employee Dr. Robin Lockwood submitted claims for dental restorations between 2005 and 2010 that were either billed for more surfaces than actually performed or not performed at all.
In reaching this settlement, Ocean Dental did not acknowledge liability. In a related case, Lockwood pleaded guilty to fraud charges in 2012. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $375,672 in restitution.
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