19 dentists convicted of Medicaid fraud in 2014

In 2014, 19 dentists were convicted of Medicaid fraud, according to an annual report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG). More than $4.1 million was recovered from these convictions.

In comparison, 64 physicians and 56 counselors/psychologists were convicted last year. Almost $22 million was recovered from the counselors/psychologists, while more than $52.4 million was recovered from the physicians (see table below).

However, dental fraud only accounted for 0.5% of Medicaid fraud recoveries last year, with $2.26 billion recovered in total. Home healthcare agencies were a particularly notable source of fraud, contributing $193.77 million to the total.

2014 criminal & civil outcomes by provider type
  Criminal Civil
Provider type No. of convictions Amount of Recoveries No. of settlements & judgments Amount of Recoveries
Counselors & psychologists 56 $21,794,328 10 $2,704,387
Dentists 19 $4,163,020 18 $7,824,268
Optometrists & opticians 2 $229,455 3 $1,494,214
Physicians or doctors of osteopathy 64 $52,400,623 44 $67,195,597
Other 20 1,451,598 5 $1,263,644
Source: Medicaid Fraud Control Units Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Report.

The OIG is the designated federal agency that oversees state Medicaid fraud control units, and the report details the results of these units in 2014.

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