AUSTIN, Texas — A 54-year-old doctor from Austin, Texas, Dr. Michael Hochman, has been indicted for health care fraud and money laundering, according to U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Hochman made his initial appearance in court and is set for … Read More
Two people from Miami-Dade County have been found guilty in a massive Medicare fraud scheme. They plotted to submit $93 million in claims for medical services that were not rendered, using lists of stolen identities of patients, even after some … Read More
The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Medicaid expansion expanded Medicaid coverage to nearly all adults with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level ($20,120 for an individual in 2023) and provided states with an enhanced federal matching rate (FMAP) … Read More
A Texas dental assistant was showered with money for nearly two decades of commitment working at an orthodontics practice in Beaumont, TX. According to “Good Morning America,” Sophia Teel was surprised with $1,000 for each year she’s worked at the … Read More
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — For months, Carlton Clemons endured crippling pain from a rotting wisdom tooth. He couldn’t sleep, barely ate and relied on painkillers to get by. The 67-year-old from Nashville, Tennessee, could not afford to see a dentist … Read More
As part of an ongoing commitment to invest in the future dental workforce, DentaQuest, a part of Sun Life U.S., is contributing to increased access to oral health care by expanding the number of practicing dentists. They achieved this through … Read More
For nonprofit dental clinics providing care to children at free and reduced rates, every penny counts. Millions of children across the U.S. struggle to access affordable dental care due to financial barriers and a shortage of dental care providers, especially … Read More
David Arnett, co-founder and president of DentiMax, recently traveled to Samoa, where he donated DentiMax sensors, laptops, and software to the Samoan government and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Arnett learned about the need for equipment in Samoa … Read More
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A Knoxville dental provider will pay nearly $1 million to settle a 2020 lawsuit that alleged the company for years submitted false claims in order to receive higher reimbursements from TennCare, the state Medicaid program. The … Read More
Since pandemic-era protections for health care coverage ended in March, more than 900,000 Texans have lost Medicaid coverage. For the first time in three years, many families and kids are caught up in the state’s re-enrollment process, a multi-step system … Read More
Teledentistry company SmileDirectClub is implementing a recapitalization plan to fund short- and long-term growth. The founders of SmileDirectClub have committed to investing at least $20 million, and an additional $60 million in capital is available based on reaching certain conditions, … Read More
U.S. Senator John Barrasson (R-WY) recently introduced legislation to protect Medicaid beneficiaries and save billions in taxpayer dollars. The Protecting Medicaid Beneficiaries Act will apply the Medicaid asset verification program to all applicants and recipients in all states and territories. … Read More
Aiming to preserve access to healthcare in rural communities, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has awarded a $4.5 million grant to four hospitals deemed critical to these populations. Governor Greg Abbott (R.) announced that the four are eligible … Read More
A federal jury in the Eastern District of Michigan convicted an Indian national Wednesday for orchestrating a $2.8 million health care fraud and wire fraud conspiracy, and engaging in money laundering, aggravated identity theft, and witness tampering, Justice Department officials … Read More
Almost 900,000 Texans have lost Medicaid since April and a backlog of applications has piled up, overwhelming the system and setting off a ripple effect that advocates worry is delaying families’ access to SNAP food benefits. During the pandemic, federal … Read More
The ADA is expressing support for the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, a health care bill aimed at addressing workforce investment and increasing price transparency throughout the health care system. Specifically, the ADA supports efforts to extend the Community Health … Read More
EL PASO – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission Community Partner Program, in partnership with El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, is hosting a community event on Tuesday, Oct. 3, to help Texans with their Medicaid renewals. HHSC staff … Read More
Massachusetts police arrested a man who they allege was running an illegal dentist’s office in the back of a convenience store in a room that was rented to him. Officials say that Munoz offered”examinations, tooth extractions, anesthetics, and cleanings.” Munoz … Read More
TAMPA, Fla. — In a heartfelt conversation, Dr. Marnie C. Bauer D.M.D., the founder of “She Smiles,” shares her personal journey and the mission that drives her — to give deserving women a reason to smile. It’s that mission that … Read More
In a recent development, David Santana, the owner of Conclave Media (Conclave) and Nationwide Health Advocates (Nationwide), has pleaded guilty to a $44 million Medicare fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME), including orthotics such as back and … Read More
A Houston physician and two pharmacists have been indicted for an alleged $170 million healthcare fraud and money laundering scheme. The 13-count indictment returned by a Houston federal grand jury on Sep. 7 was unsealed Wednesday, according to a release … Read More
McALLEN, Texas — A 52-year-old man from San Antonio, Texas, has been sentenced for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme that submitted over $150 million in false claims to Medicare for hospice and other healthcare services. Jesus Virlar-Cadena, who pleaded … Read More
A federal jury has convicted a Florida nurse practitioner for her role in a conspiracy to defraud Medicare by submitting fraudulent claims for unnecessary tests and services in excess of $200 million. She was convicted of multiple felonies and could … Read More
When asked in a recent survey if they’d like to be able to view their patients’ medical records, all dental providers—fully 100%—indicated they would, with a majority of their medical peers (75%) saying they’d like access to their patients’ dental … Read More
Federal and state Medicaid programs mandate dental coverage for children but not adults. However, rising awareness of the economic and health costs of poor dental health and federal pandemic money has spurred six US states to expand Medicaid coverage to … Read More
Dental check-ups are a critical part of your health. Estimates show around 27% of adults don’t have dental insurance coverage. Even with insurance, cost may get in the way. That’s where a local dental team comes in. Marine veteran Jeff … Read More
EDINBURG, Texas — The Texas Mission of Mercy Rio Grande Valley (TMOM-RGV) recently held a Free Dental Clinic at the Edinburg Bert Ogden Arena on September 15 and 16. The event was a big hit, with many volunteers and community … Read More
Singer Jewel has taken to TikTok to call out a wildly popular influencer, Texas dentist Dr. Kenny Smiles, for shocking social media videos of his interactions with female patients. Dr. Kenny Smiles, whose real name is Kenneth Wilstead, has made … Read More
Delta Dental of California was recently affected by a data breach on the MOVEit file transfer software. Progress, which provides the MOVEit software, disclosed the vulnerability on its software May 31. The attack on MOVEit affected an estimated 2,500 organizations … Read More
PHOENIX (AP) — A huge addiction recovery community in Tucson, Arizona, shuttered suddenly this week, leaving more than 200 people homeless as Arizona investigates widespread Medicaid fraud largely affecting Native Americans, authorities said Thursday. Ocotillo Apartments & Hotel, a rundown … Read More
ResCare has agreed to pay West Virginia $576,000 in a settlement over accusations of Medicaid fraud. The company is accused of filing nearly $280,000 in fraudulent Medicaid claims with $296,000 owed for operating expenses for the West Virginia Attorney General’s … Read More
A Palm Springs-based pharmacy will pay the state and federal governments almost $1 million for allegedly defrauding California’s Medicaid program. LASR Enterprises must repay $925,000 after allegedly seeking and receiving reimbursement from Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program, Attorney General Rob … Read More
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WPEC) — A care provider in Florida was arrested after allegedly committing Medicaid fraud, falsifying hundreds of hours worked totaling over $13,000, officials said. The suspect, Caridad Abreu Gonzalez, provided personal-support services for disabled adults under the Medicaid … Read More
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Whistleblowers reached out directly to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott this week, escalating their continued concerns about denials and delays in getting Texans critical medical support and food assistance. The anonymous Texas Health and Human Services employees sent … Read More
HARLINGEN — Texas State Technical College’s Dental Hygiene program is among the top 15 dental hygiene programs for 2023 in Texas according to NursingProcess.org, and among the best colleges with dental hygiene degrees for 2024 in Texas as compiled by … Read More
A Hanford man pleaded guilty Monday to submitting more than $1 million in fraudulent claims for sleep studies to Medicare. Travis Gober, 44, owned the VIP Sleep Center, a sleep disorder clinic that operated out of Fresno and Visalia, according … Read More
A former Moberly doctor was sentenced to 22 months in prison for Medicare and Medicaid fraud. Justin LaMonda, 41, will also have to repay $537,332. He was sentenced on Thursday after pleading guilty in March to using his father’s name … Read More
NASHVILLE – A federal jury in Nashville has convicted Doctor Benjamin T. Toh, 68, of Chicago, Illinois, for his role in a more than $9.5 million health care fraud conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle … Read More
Seven payers, including UnitedHealthcare, Molina Healthcare and Centene subsidiary SuperiorHealth Plan, were awarded contracts to manage Texas’ STAR +PLUS program, which provides Medicaid to adults with disabilities or are 65 years of age and older. According to the Texas Department … Read More
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–LIBERTY Dental Plan of Florida, Inc. (LIBERTY), a dental benefits administrator serving members throughout the areas impacted by Hurricane Idalia, today announced it is donating $10,000 for Hurricane Idalia relief efforts to Florida Disaster Fund, which supports response … Read More
