Emerald Care Center Claremore in Oklahoma paid $116,031 after self-disclosing that it billed Medicare for nursing services provided by an unlicensed registered nurse.

Emerald Care Center Claremore (Oklahoma) — Unlicensed RN Billed to Medicare, $116K Penalty (2025)

Outcome: Emerald Care Center Claremore, a long-term care facility in Claremore, Oklahoma, paid $116,031 after self-disclosing to the OIG that it submitted Medicare claims for nursing services provided by a registered nurse who lacked a valid nursing license during the period of service.

Emerald Care Center Claremore self-reported the violation to the OIG. The facility employed a registered nurse who provided direct patient care services, and those services were billed to Medicare. The nurse did not hold a valid nursing license during the relevant service period, violating Medicare's Conditions of Participation requiring all clinical staff to hold current, valid professional licenses.

The penalty of $116,031 was entered August 19, 2025 and was calculated based on the full salary and benefits paid to the unlicensed nurse. The relatively substantial penalty amount indicates a meaningful duration of unlicensed nursing service billed to Medicare before the violation was discovered and self-disclosed.

Primary Source: OIG Enforcement Record