Thursday, August 16, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Texas - Let the indictments begin–Dr. Michael D. Goodwin
USA v Michael D. Goodwin – Complaint August 15, 2012
USA v Michael D. Goodwin case 2-12-CR-097
Amarillo Orthodontist Michael Goodwin Charged in Medicaid Fraud Scheme
Michael David Goodwin is scheduled to be arraigned August 23, 2012 @ 9:30AM before Magistrate Judge Clinton Averitte.
An Amarillo orthodontist has been indicted in a Medicaid fraud scheme.
Sixty-three year-old Dr. Michael David Goodwin, who practices in Amarillo, Texas and Crown Point, Indiana, has been charged with 11 counts of health care fraud in a federal indictment.
According to Wednesday’s federal indictment, between 90 and 95 percent of Goodwin’s orthodontics’ patients were Medicaid beneficiaries.
The indictment alleges that from January 2008 through March 2011, Goodwin fraudulently billed the Texas Medicaid program for more than $2 million for services which he claimed were provided, when he knew that some services were not medically necessary, or were provided by dental assistants and no dentist or orthodontist was there to supervise.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office, Goodwin practiced two weeks per month at each practice, and would regularly schedule more than 100 patients per day, and intentionally scheduled large numbers of Medicaid patients for days when he was to be out of town.
Goodwin would then reportedly have dental assistants perform impermissible acts such as comprehensive examinations, diagnoses, and treatment planning for Medicaid patients, knowing that only licensed dentists were permitted to perform those services.
He then allegedly billed Medicaid as the performing provider for all services.
The indictment also asserts that he had his employees submit forms that fraudulently stated that some patients had a medical need for braces, when they actually were for cosmetic purposes only. Goodwin also supposedly hired substitute general dentists that were not enrolled Medicaid providers.
The U.S. Attorney’s office says that Medicaid patients were not treated equally, as Goodwin personally examined patients who paid cash for their treatment, while he reportedly only examined Medicaid patients every third appointment or less.
Each health care fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, if convicted. Goodwin could also be required to forfeit more than $1,558,000, as well as the more than $244,000 seized in May and July 2011 from Goodwin’s accounts.
JP Morgan Chase v Michael D. Goodwin, Patricia Goodwin and Chenoa Texas, LLC – Complaint March 6, 2012
Summons in JPMC v Goodwin March 6, 2012
Joint Settlement Conference Report August 3, 2012
Attention Dental Board Directors and Investigators
If you don't have enough sense to call your Attorney General's office and find out who and where to refer criminal dentists, please do the public a favor and get the hell out of the office, go home, find a nice rocking chair and stop stealing taxpayer dollars going to work everyday and drawing a paycheck, you are useless!!
It's your damn job to know where to refer the criminals! If the AG's office is calling you for information you know you can't handle the job, so do they.
You have to ask questions, run down leads, check thing out, etc..to investigate! You also must have a working brain! You are in way over your head, get out now!
If you are too big of an idiot to do something as simple as make a phone call, how do you find your way to your office everyday? No, the missing pet division at the humane society can't use you either.
To the idiot Governor who appointed you, if keeping criminal dentists on the street was your goal, job well done!! Maybe a PET scan to ensure a working brain should be done before appointments to the board. Clearly, breathing is not a sign of intelligence.
It's your damn job to know where to refer the criminals! If the AG's office is calling you for information you know you can't handle the job, so do they.
You have to ask questions, run down leads, check thing out, etc..to investigate! You also must have a working brain! You are in way over your head, get out now!
If you are too big of an idiot to do something as simple as make a phone call, how do you find your way to your office everyday? No, the missing pet division at the humane society can't use you either.
To the idiot Governor who appointed you, if keeping criminal dentists on the street was your goal, job well done!! Maybe a PET scan to ensure a working brain should be done before appointments to the board. Clearly, breathing is not a sign of intelligence.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Birner Dental - Perfect Teeth
If I owned stock in Birner's Perfect Teeth I'd unload it ASAP. Especially if I were an employee and has purchased stock, you might be holding a big bag of nothing!
This is an excerpt from today's report to their shareholders:
For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012, revenue was negatively impacted by a decrease in the number of patient visits in the offices relative to the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011. Additionally, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012, patients accepted less expensive treatment relative to the prior periods. The Company believes this is due to a general weakness in the economy in its markets.
From an employee's perspective:
The offices were negatively impacted by poor dentist/management relations due to poor management decisions. This is especially true in light of their "Dental $34 Special", which has flooded the clinics with low pay patients that don't have the money for extensive treatment due to years of neglect from not seeing a dentist. The special was only to last for a few months last fall but has continued to this day as a promotional tool that only fills the schedule with low pay or non-pay patients...go figure..
Oh and their debt rose by $1 million.
This is an excerpt from today's report to their shareholders:
For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012, revenue was negatively impacted by a decrease in the number of patient visits in the offices relative to the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011. Additionally, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012, patients accepted less expensive treatment relative to the prior periods. The Company believes this is due to a general weakness in the economy in its markets.
From an employee's perspective:
The offices were negatively impacted by poor dentist/management relations due to poor management decisions. This is especially true in light of their "Dental $34 Special", which has flooded the clinics with low pay patients that don't have the money for extensive treatment due to years of neglect from not seeing a dentist. The special was only to last for a few months last fall but has continued to this day as a promotional tool that only fills the schedule with low pay or non-pay patients...go figure..
Oh and their debt rose by $1 million.
Brooklyn dentist arrested for what is standard procedure in Texas–Patient Recruiting
Brooklyn dentist admits fraud in Medicaid probe
Posted: Aug 13, 2012 4:19 PM CDT Updated: Aug 13, 2012 4:19 PM CDTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York authorities say a Brooklyn dentist has pleaded guilty to fraud, admitting he paid recruiters to solicit homeless Medicaid patients with cash.
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli say dentist Lawrence J. Bruckner of Plainview has also admitted failing to pay taxes on payments he received from other dentists who worked at his clinics.
They say the 62-year-old Bruckner is expected to pay nearly $700,000 in restitution and face jail time.
Sentencing is set for November in Kings County Court, where his company, Premier Dental PC, entered guilty pleas to grand larceny and violating social services law.
Investigators say Bruckner submitted hundreds of false claims to the Medicaid program.
New Hampshire dentist arrested for assault
This just bothers me, mainly because the real child assaults in dental offices go unpublished and unpunished!
Windham resident John Bassett turned himself in to police Monday after a warrant was issued for an alleged assault on a child at his Salem, N.H. office in May.
Bassett, 63, operates a dental practice at 32 Stiles Road. He was charged with one count of simple assault and released on $1,000 personal recognizance.
According to police, they received a report on May 18 at about 2:15 p.m. from a a mother that her 8-year-old son was touching some glass jars on a counter that held dentistry equipment during a follow-up appointment at Bassett's office.
Police said the boy opened the lid to one of the jars and started pulling out gauze.
According to the child's mother, Bassett yelled, "We don't do that here!" and slapped the boy on the back with an open hand.
Immediately, police said the mother grabbed her son and left the office. Outside, she found a large, red welt and the shape of a hand on his back. Police said they photographed the injury and returned home.
Salem detectives conducted a follow-up investigation and determined an assault had taken place. An arrest warrant was issued, charging Bassett with a Class A misdemeanor.
Monday, August 13, 2012
ReachOut Healthcare America–Big Smiles Mobile Dental Clinics are a danger to public health! Another example!
ReachOut Healthcare America under fire again. When will those who can, do something?
Though no name of the company operating the mobile dental clinic is mention, it is ReachOut Healthcare America, based in Farmington, MI.
ReachOut Healthcare America is under investigation by Senator Charles Grassley’s office. (see letters Sen. Grassley has sent to ReachOut on the right)
If you work or have worked for ReachOut Healthcare America and do nothing to protect people like Andrew in this story, or little Isaac in Arizona it’s your duty to speak out. Please do so, everyday children, the handicapped and the elderly are being abused! Do something! I beg of you!
What was the point of this story by WOOD-TV News 8 if they wouldn’t mention the name of the company? Why did News 8 leave the investigation of this company out of the story? It’s your duty as well to warn the public that a company owned by Morgan Stanley is doing this to the most vulnerable people in America.
If I weren’t posting the name, right here, right now, no one would have a clue what company did this to Andrew. For God’s sake people, wake the hell up, get off your butts and speak up!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Transitions Dental Company–Sham and Scam?
Transitions Dental Company (TDC) presents itself to be a company that will help dentists own their own clinics. It’s website says –
Graduate>>Employee>>Owner
However, I think it’s another whack-a-doodle” company; the new grad being the “doodle”. I can’t find where any clinic they list on their website has ever been owned by anyone other than Transitions Dental Company. So “Graduate Beware”, you won’t make it past “employee”!
I believe it is a scam company operated by three couples - The Kruegers, The Meldrums and The Mitchells. I say this, first, because they have recycled the following business names several times since Transition Dental registered to do business in Indiana in 2005, and not once has the ownership ever left that of Transitions Dental Company. Second, the three couple are the “owners” “the corporate operators” and the “regional managers”.
Alpine Woods Family Dental – Frankfort, IN
Crest View Family Dental – Bloomington, IN
Fair Oaks Creek Family Dental – Columbus, IN
Glenbrook Family Dentistry – Fort Wayne, IN
Highland Creek Family Dental - Lafayette, IN
Lakeland Creek Family Dental - Merrillville, IN
Maple Creek Family Dental - Kokomo, IN
Sagamore Meadows Family Dental - West Lafayette, IN
Scatterfield Meadows Family Dental – Anderson, IN
Silhavy Creek Family Dental – Valparaiso, IN
Stoney Creek Family Dental – Muncie, IN
University Meadows Family Dental, Mishawaka, IN
About the company:
Transitions Dental Company
200 Kingston Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47906
765-807-0580
Established 2005
Founders and Officers:
Daniel W. Krueger Owner – President
Karri Krueger Owner – SVP
Brad T. Meldrum – SVP (banker)
Penny Meldrum – Corporate Secretary since 2005 according to bio ( wife of Brad)
James Pruitt – Executive Office Assistant
Team:
Lisa Mitchell – Southern Regional Manager (wife of Neal)
Neal Mitchell – Northern Regional Manager (husband of Lisa)
Natalie Odel – Regional Manager
Danielle Greives – Re-Care Trainer
Tricia French – Expanded Functions Dental Assistant Trainer
Diego Calderon – IT Manager
Abdur Razzak – IT Technician
Did Levine Leichtman unload a sinking ship in InterDent?
I can only hope so. Not that I’m all tore up and concerned about Levine Leichtman. I just find it lip smackin’ good to see another private equity firm that may well get burned over the illegal practice of “Corporate Dentistry”. Levine Leichtman operated dental clinics under the following names:
Gentle Dental
Smile Keepers
Capital Dental
Blue Oak Dental Group
Mountain View Dental
Affordable Dental Care
Dedicated Dental Systems Incorporated
Also associated with InterDent is Northwest Management Services.
Levine Leichtman Capital Press Release:
In 2008. InterDent entered into a 5 year Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Office of Inspector General due to fraudulent billing by at least two of it’s Dedicated Dental clinics in California. They also agreed to pay $364,500 in restitution and pay $364,500 in damages. The 5 year Corporate Integrity Agreement expires on June 20, 2013.
John Steinbrun signed the Corporate Integrity Agreement as President and CEO of InterDent, Inc and InterDent Service Corporation and Scott Breman signed as President and CEO of Dedicated Dental Systems Incorporated.
I’m sorry, but bankruptcy, a corporate integrity agreement with the OIG, downsizing by 1/3, and numerous lawsuits is considered “very successful” for partners, management or stakeholders.
Gentle Dental
Smile Keepers
Capital Dental
Blue Oak Dental Group
Mountain View Dental
Affordable Dental Care
Dedicated Dental Systems Incorporated
Also associated with InterDent is Northwest Management Services.
Levine Leichtman Capital Press Release:
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP) announced today the closing of the sale of InterDent, Inc. to H.I.G. Middle Market, LLC.Seriously?! According to the WSJ, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners invested in 2000. They filed for bankruptcy in 2003. Prior to the bankruptcy they owned and operated 226 dental offices in 14 states and now operate 145 dental offices in 8 states.
InterDent, Inc. is a leading dental practice support organization ("DSO") in the United States. The Company provides support services to over 145 affiliated dental offices in eight western states including California, Oregon, and Washington. InterDent's affiliated offices benefit from professional management, economies of scale, superior information systems, and specialization of functions. Its network delivers comprehensive dentistry to over one million patients annually, including general, orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, pedodontics, prosthodontics, and oral surgery.
"The InterDent investment has been very successful for our partners, our management team and all of the Company's stakeholders. We are proud of the successes the company has achieved over the past years and believe the growth will continue with HIG's support," said Lauren Leichtman, CEO of LLCP. "We are also pleased to provide a very attractive return to LLCP's investors through an exit that underscores our commitment to investing in the middle market."
In 2008. InterDent entered into a 5 year Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Office of Inspector General due to fraudulent billing by at least two of it’s Dedicated Dental clinics in California. They also agreed to pay $364,500 in restitution and pay $364,500 in damages. The 5 year Corporate Integrity Agreement expires on June 20, 2013.
John Steinbrun signed the Corporate Integrity Agreement as President and CEO of InterDent, Inc and InterDent Service Corporation and Scott Breman signed as President and CEO of Dedicated Dental Systems Incorporated.
I’m sorry, but bankruptcy, a corporate integrity agreement with the OIG, downsizing by 1/3, and numerous lawsuits is considered “very successful” for partners, management or stakeholders.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Special needs child kidnapped off the street and taken for dental treatment at All About Dental clinic in Texas. Still no handcuffs on dentists or kidnappers.
August 3, 2012
DALLAS - "Something needs to be done before one of these children dies," Brenda Flores said.
Flores is tough, smart, and protective of her grandson, Isaac. When he didn't come home until after dark one day last March, she was about to call for an Amber Alert.
It turns out, fifteen-year-old Isaac had been taken from his neighborhood to a southeast Dallas dental clinic without her permission.
Isaac, who has severe ADD and asthma, was approached on March 6 by a man in a van.
"'I can give you $10, and a $50 dollar gift card later, and a pizza to take home,'" Isaac quoted the man as saying.
All Isaac had to do was go to the dentist. The man drove him to All About Dentistry on Scyene Road in Dallas. Billing records show All About Dentistry billed Medicaid for 25 procedures on Isaac Flores, totaling $2,041.
Medicaid rules do not allow treatment of a minor without the parent or guardian's permission.
"I'm angry," Mrs. Flores said. "I'm very angry, because I'm here to protect my grandson. And he was taken off the streets without my permission. He was sedated. And he has a medical condition."
Devon Allen has a medical condition, too.
He was taken by a recruiter to All About Dentistry last month, without his mother's knowledge. Gale Allen, his mother, has now hired an attorney, Ajay Shah.
"It truly shocks the conscience," Shah said. "These children have been truly impacted by this individual's actions."
He now represents two parents and four children in the case, but the number may be growing.
Isaac Flores said there were other children in the van with him when he was taken to All About Dentistry last March.
Blanca Flores said she filed a police report the day of the incident, and complained to the Attorney General as well. She hasn't heard back.
State Senator Royce West, (D-Dallas), urges victims to contact his office.
"I won't get stonewalled by an agency, because we will make certain that those claims get investigated by the proper authorities," West said.
Dr. Hamid Farahani, who owns the clinic on Scyene Road and two other All About Dentistry clinics, denies he has done anything wrong. He said he has been audited by Medicaid five times and never found guilty of anything. He admits he owns a van and that he employs a patient recruiter.
So far, he has refused to give any of the parents involved any paperwork on their sons' treatment.
E-mail bharris@wfaa.com