Two North Texas dentists, their management companies, and affiliated pediatric practices settled for $3.1 million for billing Texas Medicaid for pediatric dental services not rendered and for falsely identifying service providers on claims.

North Texas Pediatric Dentists — $3.1M Medicaid Fraud (Underprivileged Children)

Outcome: Two North Texas dentists and affiliated pediatric dental practices settled for $3.1 million for billing Texas Medicaid for pediatric dental services not rendered and falsely identifying service providers on claims submitted for underprivileged children.

Two North Texas dentists, their dental management companies, and certain affiliated pediatric dental practices defrauded the Texas Medicaid program by submitting false claims for pediatric dental services that were either never rendered to children enrolled in the program or that falsely identified the person who actually provided the service. The scheme targeted underprivileged children — Medicaid-enrolled patients who depend on the program for dental care.

The False Claims Act violations involved two patterns: billing for services that did not occur, and billing under a dentist's name when a different (possibly less qualified or unlicensed) provider performed the work. The Northern District of Texas U.S. Attorney's Office announced the $3.1 million settlement on May 14, 2021.

Primary Source: Dentists to Pay $3.1 Million to Resolve Allegations They Submitted False Claims for Services Not Provided to Underprivileged Children