Oklahoma attorney general investigating urine testing labs

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A published report indicates that the Oklahoma attorney general's office is investigating a group of laboratories involved in the state's booming urine testing industry.

The Oklahoman reports that while not officially confirmed, documents obtained through an open records request show the agency's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is looking into some urine testing laboratories doing millions of dollars in business with Oklahoma health care providers.

Records provided by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the state's Medicaid agency, indicate some laboratories have received nearly $100 million in reimbursements since 2011 for testing the urine of chronic pain patients, recovering addicts and others routinely prescribed narcotics by a physician.

A spokesman for the attorney general, Will Gattenby, says the agency can't share much information because of "the sensitive nature of the investigation."