Dentist Reprimanded for Medicaid Fraud

A dentist entered into a consent order agreeing to pay $30,000 to Medicaid after investigators discovered billing irregularities and documentation problems.  According to the consent order, Peter J. D'Allessandro "failed to maintain adequate records to support and justify treatments."

The consent order also provides for a public reprimand and a two-year probation period.  During the probation period, Medicaid officials will randomly examine patient charts during unannounced visits to the dentist's practice to "insure compliance with minimum requirements for record-keeping and billing."

Failing to maintain adequate records to support and justify treatments creates serious problems.  Any claim that is not adequately supported by contemporaneous records may be considered a "false claim."  Submitting false claims to Medicaid can result in heavy financial penalties, exclusion from Medicare, Medicaid and other government healthcare programs, and even a criminal conviction resulting in the suspension or loss of a professional license.

By cooperating with the investigation and agreeing to the terms of the consent order, the dentist avoided the possibility of more serious proceedings and consequences.

The government aggressively investigates and prosecutes cases of dental Medicaid fraud.  If you are contacted by a Medicaid investigator, then you should consult with an experienced Medicaid fraud attorney immediately to protect your rights.  How you respond to the investigation can mean the difference between an inconvenience and a career-destroying catastrophe.

To arrange a free and confidential consultation, call John Howley, Esq. at (917) 652-6504 or click here to reach our office via email.

John Howley, Esq.

---

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.  I invite you to contact our law offices and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail.  Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.  Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.  I practice law and offer legal services only in jurisdictions where I am properly authorized to do so.  I do not seek to represent anyone in any jurisdiction where this web site does not comply with applicable laws and bar rules.