Avantara North, a Rapid City, SD nursing home, paid $20,000 after self-disclosing that it employed and billed Medicare for nursing services provided by a nurse who lacked a valid license during their period of service.

Avantara North (Rapid City, SD) — Billing for Unlicensed Nurse (2025)

Outcome: Avantara North, a nursing and rehabilitation facility in Rapid City, South Dakota, paid $20,000 after self-disclosing to the OIG that it had billed federal healthcare programs for nursing services provided by an individual who lacked a valid nursing license.

Avantara North self-reported the violation as a fraud self-disclosure to the OIG. The facility employed a nurse who performed patient care duties and whose services were billed to Medicare, but who did not hold a valid nursing license during the relevant period. The $20,000 penalty was calculated based on the full salary and benefits paid to the nurse during the unlicensed period, representing single damages under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law.

Federal regulations require all clinical staff whose services are billed to Medicare or Medicaid to hold current, valid professional licenses. Nursing homes are responsible for verifying licensure at hiring and monitoring for license renewals, suspensions, and revocations on an ongoing basis.

Primary Source: OIG Enforcement Record