Texas Tribune
November 16, 2012
Medicaid Providers Push Back on Fraud Investigations
Medical providers are speaking out against the state’s Medicaid fraud investigations, saying the investigations are crippling innocent businesses and impacting patient care. Investigators say they only target providers when there’s credible evidence.
October 18, 2012
HHSC Deputy Inspector General Arrested on DWI Charge
Jack Stick, a former Austin state representative, past municipal judge and current deputy inspector general for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, was arrested Sept. 11 and charged with driving while intoxicated.
October 15, 2012
Lawmakers Want Answers on Dental, Orthodontic Fraud
As new details on Medicaid dental and orthodontic fraud investigations emerged at a House Public Health hearing on Monday, lawmakers warned that state agencies should not shirk responsibility.
August 17, 2012
Who’s Legally Liable in State’s Dental Drama?
The state’s sweeping Medicaid fraud investigation into dentists and orthodontists accused of giving unnecessary treatments to poor children has left Texas attorneys with more questions than answers. Who’s responsible?
July 27, 2012
State Tackles Concerns in Medicaid Dental System
State officials, dentists and other providers met Friday on how to treat orthodontic transfer patients, why some corporate clinics are allowed to use gift cards and pizza to lure new patients and other technicalities related to the transition to Medicaid managed care.
July 20, 2012
In Medicaid Fraud Investigations, a Controversial Tool
Medicaid fraud officials have won rave reviews for a new dollar-recovery strategy that lets them freeze funding to accused health providers while they pursue an investigation. But some doctors and dentists say there’s no due process.
Austin American-Statesman
Nov. 28, 2012
Wilson: New rules will deter fraud
As the state’s inspector general for health and human services, my role is to provide the first line of defense against fraud, waste and abuse in our state’s Medicaid program. Let’s just…
Nov. 24, 2012
Fraud charge pits Austin pediatric clinics against state
An Austin chain of pediatric clinics that treats only low-income children, accused of defrauding the government of $18 million in Medicaid payments, has launched a counteroffensive against a state health…
Oct. 18, 2012
Former state rep arrested for DWI
Former state Rep. Jack Stick, who currently serves as the deputy inspector general for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, was arrested last month on charges of driving while intoxicated. Stick was arrested by the Austin Police Department on at 10:44 p.m. on Sept. 11 at 500 Campbell St. …
Sept. 29, 2012
Laffer: Bridging the dental divide
A “perfect storm” has struck Texas’ dental community that serves some of the state’s neediest patients – those on Medicaid. With a major state budget shortfall, charges of Medicaid fraud and now trial lawyers scurrying to stake their claim, it’s a wonder that any Texas dentists are willing to be …
April 11, 2012
Watchdog group, others doubt effectiveness of dental board
Patients, dentists and lawyers told a Texas legislative committee Wednesday that the state agency that regulates dentists does a weak job of protecting the public from bad care.But board officials said the Legislature hasn’t provided enough money to better regulate 60,000 licensees in Texas.The problems go beyond that, said members …
Aug. 26, 2011
Capitol Digest: Feds audit Medicaid spending for braces; department chief to retire
Health Spending on braces audited. Federal auditors are examining Medicaid charges for dental braces for Texas children amid a TV report that the state spent as much on orthodontic services last year as all 49 other states combined.The Texas Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Friday that its preauthorization process …
WFAA
Jan 16, 2013
News 8 stories prompt legislation to curb Medicaid abuse
State Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) praised investigative journalists as she introduced two bills Wednesday designed to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse and to improve long-term health care.
Oct 17, 2012
State expands Medicaid dental fraud estimates
The Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services says as much as $383 million in potential fraud may have occurred in the Medicaid dental program over the past four years.
Aug 17, 2012
Sixth Medicaid dental victim comes forward, police investigate
Over a period of six months, six children each said they were paid $10 to get into an unmarked vans, taken to a southeast Dallas dental clinic called All About Dentistry, and drilled without their parents’ permission.
Aug 9, 2012
Dentists bailing out on Medicaid orthodontics patients
State records indicate Texas put braces on more than 120,000 Medicaid children over the last two years. Now Texas realizes it made a mistake, and has quit paying many dentists for work they began. As a result, clinics are dropping patients.
Aug 3, 2012
Another victim of Medicaid dental recruiting comes forward
News 8 found treating Medicaid dental patients without parents’ permission has been going on since March.
Jul 27, 2012
Medicaid dentistry tackles patient abandonment after investigation
As Texas Medicaid cracks down on questionable dental payments, dozens of dentists are leaving tens of thousands of patients without care. The state is trying to address the problem.
Jun 26, 2012
Texas AG lawsuits spurred by WFAA dental investigation
Texas Attorney General Gregg Abbot charges that a Dallas dentist and his corporate entities bilked taxpayers out of millions for fraudulent orthodontic work on poor families.
Apr 25, 2012
Congress examines Texas Medicaid orthodontics
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Affairs In Washington focused on the Texas Medicaid orthodontic program Wednesday after a year-long News 8 investigation discovered hundreds of millions of dollars of misspent funds.
Mar 21, 2012
Texas, feds take action on orthodontic fraud
Eleven dental operations across Texas have had their state funds suspended for credible allegations of fraud in billing the Texas Medicaid Orthodontics program, following a 10-month News 8 investigation.
Feb 3, 2012
Babies for braces? News 8’s Medicaid investigations continue
The State of Texas appears to be encouraging teenage girls to become pregnant so they can receive free braces on their teeth under Medicaid.
Dec 27, 2011
Crooked Teeth: Medicaid Millions
This is the story about hundreds of millions of Texas taxpayer dollars and a program designed to help poor children who have severely crooked teeth. News 8 uncovered the story about how some dentists exploited the system to make millions.
Dec 16, 2011
State senate to hold Medicaid dental hearings
After a News 8 investigation found huge expenditures in Medicaid Orthodontic payments, state Senator Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) plans to hold hearings on the issue.
Dec 6, 2011
Medicaid money runs out, and braces stay on
After nine years of braces, Antornette Taylor will turn 21 this week. Although her problems with her braces are still not resolved, she is no longer eligible for Medicaid.
Nov 11, 2011
Texas Medicaid problems may apply nationwide
News 8 discovered hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicaid billing for orthodontics. Now it appears the problems may be linked as much to the way the claims are approved as they do to the individual dentists involved.
Oct 6, 2011
Taxpayers spent $13 million on orthodontic transportation
Last year, Texas taxpayers spent $184 million so kids on Medicaid could get free braces. Taxpayers did not spend on braces, which many families consider a luxury. Under Medicaid, the public spent $13 million on orthodontic transportation.
Sep 23, 2011
Did dentists fuel their private jets with Medicaid money?
WFAA’s Byron Harris has investigated dental organizations that have charged the government millions for children’s braces. Here is the latest from the on-going News 8 investigation.
Aug 31, 2011
Big changes ahead for Medicaid braces program
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission says it’s changing the process that allows Medicaid funds to pay for children to get braces. The commission announced a series of corrective measures Tuesday in the wake of reports by WFAA.
Aug 25, 2011
Feds investigate Texas dental Medicaid program
After a News 8 investigation raised questions about millions of Medicaid dollars spent in Texas for orthodontic care, a federal inspector general is auditing the way those funds are being used.
Aug 18, 2011
Questions surround lucrative Medicaid dental business
Some dental organizations in Texas charge the government millions for children’s braces under Medicaid. Some clinics see hundreds of patients a week. Who’s doing all the work? The fact is that many patients don’t know and the state doesn’t check.
Jun 20, 2011
State takes action after exposé on Medicaid braces
A News 8 investigation uncovered a $184 million outlay by the Texas Medicaid program to fund corrective braces for children. Now the state is taking action to correct the problem.
Jun 8, 2011
Tax money for unneeded braces goes to hedge funds
Texas doled out $184 million in Medicaid last year to put braces on the teeth of poor children. Many dentists say the treatment is unneeded, and the much of that money went to hedge funds.
May 13, 2011
Texas taxpayers pay big for straight teeth
Historically, straightening teeth with braces is viewed largely as a cosmetic procedure, done for cosmetic purposes. Yet last year, Texas taxpayers paid for braces for more than 120,000 children under Medicaid.