(Clip taken from interview on why they hired ADP to help them with the UnAffordable Care Act.)
Monday, March 31, 2014
NCDR–Kool Smiles and Resolution Dental says “main concern is financial”
Kristina Dorsey, HR Manager for NCDR, LLC - Kool Smiles PC & Resolution Dental, admits the main concern to the CEO’s and CFO’s is financial; truer words were never spoken.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
HHS-OIG Report - Questionable Billing For Medicaid Pediatric Dental Services in New York–March 2014
This same study could be done in any state these private equity owned dental clinics operate and the results would be the same, if not worse. All of this has been reported right here since 2007, it’s 2014! Just saying…
Questionable Billing For Medicaid Pediatric Dental Services in New York - March 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Small Smiles Dental Centers in yet another Federal Report due out today
A new federal report will be released Wednesday showing that shady dentists and orthodontists billed the state's Medicaid program for questionable procedures on children. One dentist claimed to have provided one child 42 tooth fillings in a single visit.
BY Glenn Blain NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU|Wednesday, March 26, 2014, 12:20 AM
The state’s Medicaid program paid through the teeth for questionable billings by shady dentists and orthodontists, a new federal report charges.
One dentist claimed to have provided one child 42 tooth fillings in a single visit.
Another dentist averaged 16 procedures per child, compared with a statewide average of five, according to the report, which is being released Wednesday.
They were among 23 pediatric dentists and six orthodontists in the state who pocketed $13.2 million in Medicaid payments in 2012 for services that appeared unnecessary or may not have been performed at all, according to the report by the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general.
“We found one orthodontist who treated almost 5,000 children in a single year,” said Lucia Fort, an analyst in the inspector general’s office.
“That’s about 10 times higher than the state average for orthodontists.”
Read the complete NY Daily News Story here.
CSHM/Small Smiles Dental has been changing the business entity names on file with the Secretary of State in Kentucky and Ohio. Small Smiles of Akron, LLC – Michael Crites, DDS has been changed to Akron Smiles Youth Dentistry, LLC – Michael Crites, DDS. (if you would like a look at the many name changes in Ohio, search the Secretary of State site here using “Prior Business Name”)
Small Smiles of Louisville, PSC was changed to Louisville Smiles Youth Dentistry, PCS on November 27, 2013. Since at least June of 2013,
CSHM has also been changing information contained in their dentists National Provider Identifier (NPI) records on file with the Federal government. The mailing address has also been changed in the individual clinic records. The business mailing address has been changed to a US Postal Service sub-station post office box:16 Arcade Unit 198747, Nashville, TN 37219-1994.
The “manager of licensing and credentialing, Ms. Jenell Stringer is making the changes. I’m sure at the direction of someone at CSHM headquarters.
For instance, on June 11, 2013, Ms. Jenell Stringer, Manager of Licensing and Credentialing changed the mailing address in the NPI record of Small Smiles of Worcester, LLC d/b/a Straight Smiles of Worcester-(NPI number 1487943635) to:
16 Arcade Unit 198747
Nashville, TN 37219-1994
615-750-0343
You can see for yourself by searching the NPI number here.
They did the same thing in May of 2010, just 4 months after the Corporate Integrity Agreement was put into place. At that time I believe they used a US Postal Service sub-station at 208 W. 8th Street, Ste 810,Pueblo, Colorado, 81003-3038
If you would like to check out the dentist records, click here. Below are a few names and NPI numbers:
- Merlin L. Cherian, DMD – 1922348507
- Elizabeth Kay Geier, DDS – 1134251127 (Elizabeth is the “owner dentist” of the Louisville, Kentucky clinic and some in Ohio, along with long time puppet, Dr. Jodi Kuhn, who now has her name slapped all over the clinics in Colorado.)
- Harry Huger Houston, III, DDS – 1003991050
- Todd Bernard, DMD – 1336572791
- Sujani Vellanki, DMD – 1740562610 (apparently she practices dentistry at the post office, since the physical address on her location is also 16 Arcade, Until 198747, Nashville, TN)
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Interview with Gary Iocco, President, National Association of Dental Laboratories
Interview with Gary Iocco, President,
National Association of Dental Laboratories
March 2014
By: Michael W Davis, DDS
NADL Website http://www.nadl.org/home-page.cfm
National Board of Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology http:///www.nbccert.org
The Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology http://www.dentallabfoundation.org
NADL What’s in Your Mouth http://www.whatsinyourmouth.us
Questions
Dr. Davis: Many in the general public may not know the vital role of the dental technician, within the dental team. From my perspective as a restorative dentist, a dental technician can make me look like a superstar, or a nitwit. What exactly does a dental technician do, and why is that so critical in successful clinical results for patients?
Mr. Iocco: As dental laboratory technology professionals we transform the dentist’s directions from the prescription or work order and create the actual treatment option that the dentist has chosen to provide their patient. Quality dental laboratory professionals employ knowledge of modern materials and available technologies to provide our dentist clients with a restoration that is consistent with the high standard of care and esthetics that our dentists expect to provide for their patients.
This is only possible if there is sufficient communication and understanding and a mutual knowledge of and commitment to what is required for a quality outcome.
While good communication is always important, the more complex or involved a case is the earlier in the planning process a dentist should bring their dental laboratory technology professional into the conversation.
Highly skilled and experienced dentists will tell you that to provide the standard of care and esthetics that they seek for their patients restorations, they work closely with a quality dental laboratory.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Oh where, oh where did it go: CSHM’s Press Release
If anyone is looking for CSHM and Small Smiles press release after the media exposed the fact they will be excluded from Medicaid in 30 days, you won’t find it on their website any longer. No need to put out an “All Points Bulletin”, it can be found below.
President and CEO David R. Wilson, released a memo to payors on March 12, it has since disappeared from their website as well. But never fear,it’s still here.
The whole media statement, from start to finish, basically gave the finger to HHS-OIG and every person who has investigated them since 2007; in addition to making highly misleading—if not down right lying—to staff and employees.
Seems their Facebook page has disappeared as well. I imagine they don’t want any comments or questions, don’t you?
Below is the press release.
March 11, 2014
CSHM, LLC & OIG NOTICE OF EXCLUSION
In a letter dated March 7, 2014, CSHM, LLC (“CSHM”) received a notice of exclusion from federal health care programs from the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (OIG). The notice of exclusion does not apply to any individual employee or the Dental Centers and Practice Owners, but to the CSHM, LLC corporate entity only. If the exclusion should go into effect, it means that CSHM may not continue with some or all of its current responsibilities under its Management Service Agreement (MSA) and this may affect administrative services related to Center operations.
The exclusion notice is based on the OIG’s determination that CSHM has violated some terms of the Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) that has been in place for the management company and its predecessors since January 2010. CSHM assumed the CIA in June 2012 and it is well known that it has implemented the CIA provisions within the Centers and generally since that time. Many Center owners and employees have met the Independent Quality Monitor (IQM) and CSHM’s compliance staff over the last 18 months as the company was implementing the CIA’s provisions. Generally, the alleged violations related to certain delayed reporting of a few adverse clinical events, failure to undertake certain training in 2012 before CSHM assumed the CIA, and the omission of two adverse events on the CIA disclosure log, though over 1,200 events were successfully place on the disclosure log for processing.
CSHM believes strongly that it has substantially and in good faith implemented the CIA at a great cost in resources and with the important cooperation of the Centers and its health care professionals, particularly on the enhancing dental clinical standards. The OIG’s proposed determination to exclude CSHM for some non-compliance with its CIA is an unduly harsh and an unprecedented response to expected and common difficulties in implementing a very complex CIA that has a novel and innovative administrative, process and clinical requirements.
CSHM intends to appeal the notice of exclusion and file a request for hearing with the Department Appeals Board. During the appeals process, the exclusion will be stayed and we will continue to provide business, administrative and support services to 53 associated dental centers in 19 states and the District of Columbia, pursuant to our management services agreements. The legal process will take an indeterminate period of time. In the interim, CSHM will continue to perform normal operations and will continue to provide our internal and external constituents with up-to-date information. Should you have questions regarding this matter, please contact a member of our communications team at Lovell Communications:
- Paula Lovell: 615-297-7766 / lovell@lovell.com
- Rosemary Plorin: 615-297-7766 / rosemary@lovell.com
- Perry Hall: 615-297-7766 / perry@lovell.com
- Link to original media release - http://smallsmiles.com/PressReleases/MediaResponseStatement_LV_20140312.pdf
- Saved copy-
http://www.scribd.com/doc/212174183/CSHM-Small-Smiles-Dental-Media-Statement-03-11-2014
***********************
- Link to original payor memo -
http://smallsmiles.com/PressReleases/CSHM_Payor_Memo_20140312.pdf - Saved copy of payor memo -
http://www.scribd.com/doc/212466391/David-R-Wilson-President-CEO-of-CSHM-Small-Smiles-Dental-Payor-Letter-03-12-2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Positive proof of no compliance at CSHM–Small Smiles
You have to check out CSHM-Small Smiles “Quality and Compliance” webpage. Past the list of the overseers, you will find a link that says“For more information, please visit: www.smallsmiles.com/compliance.
Go ahead, click it.
NBC — Firm That Manages Dental Clinics for Kids Excluded From Medicaid
By Talesha Reynolds
MARCH 12, 2014 - A company that manages a chain of dental clinics once accused of subjecting children to painful and unnecessary procedures and bilking the government for millions of dollars has been notified it will no longer be eligible for reimbursement from federal health care programs like Medicaid, its principal source of revenue.
The company, CSHM, manages 53 clinics nationwide, most of which operate under the name Small Smiles. The clinics treat mostly low-income children in areas where access to dental care is limited.
The Office of the Inspector General of the Department Health and Human Services sent a letter to CSHM on Friday citing multiple breaches to a compliance agreement, which mandates quality of care measures. The breaches included failing to report incidents involving patients at Small Smiles clinics in Tulsa, Okla., and Mattapan, Mass.
The OIG declined to provide further detail on the specific breaches that led to the exclusion.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who last year published a report on corporate dental management companies along with former Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., said Monday that the CSHM exclusion notice “will protect both taxpayers and vulnerable children receiving dental care in the Medicaid program.”
Related:
Dental chain accused of hurting kids, bilking taxpayers December 11, 2012
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Dental Group Practice Association installed a new Executive Director last week. Will he work more than 8 hours a week?
Check out the uptick in legal, conference and lobbying expenses. I’m not sure how you can spend that much in a year and not work more than 8 hours a week.
Management fees have also skyrocketed.
CSHM comes out of hiding to issue statement regarding Medicaid Exclusion
CSHM and Small Smiles have been dodging media phone calls for days. They have finally issued a statement; begrudgingly I'm sure.
They say they will appeal. I hear they won't. Hell, they have been appealing since 2010; dang near quarterly.
They have received at least 2 earlier threats to be excluded; maybe three. The report issued last year by Senator Grassley's office basically asked, "how bad do these folks have to be before excluding them. They may appeal just to keep the revenue flowing. But I would think they should be on a Credible Allegation of Fraud pay hold.
CSHM Small Smiles Dental Media Statement 03-11-2014 by Dentist The Menace