(Radio Iowa) – A medical practice in Sioux City has agreed to pay a 600-thousand dollar settlement to resolve allegations it improperly submitted bills for tummy tucks and other cosmetic procedures to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE — the government insurance program for active-duty military and veterans.

Federal authorities say a plastic surgeon who used to be a partner at Tri-State Specialists falsely labeled some cosmetic procedures as medically necessary on bills. The government also raised questions about the plastic surgeon’s bills for office visits. Tri-State Specialists has offices in Sioux City and Le Mars and admits no wrong-doing. It will pay the States of Iowa, South Dakota, and the federal government 612-thousand dollars.