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Last updated on Monday, November 5, 2018
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Attorney General Curtis Hill today announced that his office, working in conjunction with the office of United States Attorney Russell M. Coleman of the Western District of Kentucky, has obtained a $5.1 million settlement with two dental firms.
The settlement resolves claims that ImmediaDent of Indiana LLC improperly billed Indiana Medicaid for dental services in its nine dental practices in Indiana. The other firm involved in the settlement, Samson Dental Partners LLC, provides administrative and other support services to ImmediaDent.
The companies are accused of submitting false claims for payment to Indiana's Medicaid program between Jan. 1, 2009, and Sept. 30, 2013. Samson Dental is accused of violating Indiana's law prohibiting the corporate practice of dentistry by exerting obtrusive influences over ImmediaDent's medical professionals and staff in a manner that compromised their clinical judgment. Both companies are alleged to have claimed in billing documentation that simple tooth extractions were surgical extractions, and they allegedly billed for deep cleaning that was either not performed or not medically necessary.
This matter arose as a complaint about monetary damages under the qui tam provisions of the federal False Claims Act and the Indiana False Claims and Whistleblower Protection Act. A dentist aware of the improper activities, Jihaad Abdul-Majid, brought the matter to authorities' attention. The information he provided led to an investigation by the Office of the Indiana Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky.
"Working to recover taxpayer funds taken through fraud and other illegal means is part of our responsibility as stewards of the public trust," said Attorney General Hill. "We appreciate the collaboration of our federal partners in this particular case, and we intend to remain vigilant going forward to make sure Medicaid monies are used for their designated purposes."
This matter was handled by Indiana Deputy Attorney General Lawrence J. Carcare II and Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Schecter of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky.
"Let this be a warning to healthcare organizations that the United States government is watching, and will continue to watch for false claims no matter how large or small," said United States Attorney Coleman. "The United States Attorney's office is protecting the taxpayers' dollars every day with the help of our state and local partners."
Under the settlement, the companies agreed to pay the United States $3,400,271 and the State of Indiana $1,782,729.
A copy of the settlement can be found here.
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