3 and 4 surface fillings are up, some more than double. For instance 4 surface amalgam's up from $60.02 to $125, 4 surface composites $75.06 to $135 – effective September 1, 2012.
Being the cynic I am, is this to make up the difference if it is finally decided stainless steel crowns have to be pre-approved?
Is to help keep the fraudsters stay out of hot water and still in the dough? Stainless steel crowns are $153, now 4 four surface amalgams just slightly less, where before they were dang near $100 less.
The sedation fees disturb me a slight bit. Of course none of it would disturb me if not for the lack of regard of children’s health and wellbeing these days.
Effective October 1, 2012 -
D9220 – General Anesthesia was $85.75 now, $125 first 30 min. D9920 – GA each additional 15 min, was $30.63, now, $35.00
D9230 – Nitrous Oxide – NO CHANGE
D9241 – IV-Sedation was $119.44, now up slightly to $125 for the first 30 minutes. D9242 – IV – Sedation was $28.44, now up slightly to $35 for each addition 15 min.
D9248 – Non- IV Sedation was $183.75, huge drop to $125.00.
The law firm of Waller Lansden was selected to serve as legal counsel to the Texas Health Services Authority (THSA), whose objective is coordination the implementation of strategic and operational plans for the health information exchanges (HIEs) that will provide access to electronic medical records throughout the State of Texas. (which is a whole other can of worms I’m leaving for someone else!) On October 15, 2012, Elizabeth Rogers of Waller Lansden testified before Texas House Public Heath Committee meeting in which she basically threw the Texas Dental Board under the bus for not doing it’s job. I agree whole heartedly with her assessment. (yes, I know, whether I agree with her or not is inconsequential) According to the roster, she was there representing the Texas Coalition of Dental Support Organizations
Anyway, here is Rogers’ testimony. Pull up a seat and listen. Then let’s talk. (This was immediately after Diane Earle of Kool Smiles gave her testimony.)
Here’s what:
Waller Lansden serves as legal counsel to Dr Richard Malouf, of All Smiles Dental, in his initial plea deal w/ state Attorney General Abbott.
Waller Lansden also serves as legal counsel to Church Street Health Management (CSHM) (d/b/a Small Smiles Dental, Wild Smiles, etc.), and has been involved with the company from its acquisition by private equity investors. 2007 Waller Street News
I’m wondering how Waller’s, clients like Richard Malouf – All Smiles and CSHM-Small Smiles feels about what she had to say.
Currently Small Smiles is owned by Garrison Investment. Not sure if Waller spends a lot of time on CSHM? Well,here’s a time sheet. If you look closely you will see where they are actually the ones handling some serious compliance issues at one of the Ohio clinics.
Why is this a problem? Small Smiles gave birth to Kool Smiles. Two dentists from Small Smiles, along with a paramedic (sounds like the beginning of a bad joke) joined with FFL Partners to start Kool Smiles and NCDR, LLC.
I don’t know this to be 100% fact - but I’m pretty darn sure, Kool Smiles is one of the clinics on CAF – Hold in Texas. (Credible Allegations of Fraud) Meaning, they are not getting their money, hence Diane Earle sent to “fall on the sword”. Earle goes to Texas, swears her testimony is the truth, and 4 days later is having a production meeting in Atlanta at NCDR headquarters!! These execs at Kool Smiles and spineless cowards and have yet to lay themselves on the alter for sacrifice. But they will sure send out the stupid folks – Earle and Buckey for example. (sorry, got off on a KS rant there for a minute)
Another troubling aspect - Waller Lansden professes it is the counsel to the DSO’s here in this ad: Waller Lansden Ad to Be Dental Management companies Top Firm
Besides all of the above, Waller Lansden are also members of theDGPA, the group propagating the illegal operation of the dental management companies. Most of it’s members, founders, and officers belong to the dental management companies backed by private equity. I being a member of the “club” most likely to land in legal trouble, it’s a great idea. But… be part of the governing body involved in these matter is a whole other situation.
If Texas is working hard to close the doors on the hen house, don’t lock it down with the wolves’ operatives inside, unless they are double agents, of course. Other written testimony from the hearing
Kool Smiles senior district manger tries to explain dental service organization to Texas lawmakers. Hope this wasn’t under oath. Ooops, it was. See Witness Affirmation Form
EFFINGHAM — While international news services are reporting that Heartland Dental Care is for sale in a potential 10-figure deal, a Heartland executive said Wednesday that no deal would affect the local presence of the dental practice management giant.
“We want the people of Effingham to know that we are committed to Effingham,” said Chad Thompson, the company’s vice president of administration.
Thompson declined to comment on the potential deal, but international news service Reuters reported earlier this week that private equity firms KKR & Co., Apax Partners and Madison Dearborn Partners have bid for Heartland Dental. Reuters said the sale price could reach $1.3 billion.
Dedicated to all those who are not deterred from speaking out
During a Texas Public Health committee meeting on October 15, 2012, committee Chair Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, tipped her hat to the public, for speaking out about the massive amount of dental Medicaid fraud taking place in Texas.
“…This wasn’t a huge issue on this committee or others would have maybe been a little more privy to it—it took a lot of news reporting for us to really, and thank goodness for the Bill of Rights, because that’s really what brought it to a head, “ s
“…I want to tip my hat to Channel 8 and WFAA in Dallas, certainly the Texas Tribune has given this a lot of coverage…”
Without the public and company insiders speaking out, without Mr. Harris at WFAA, listening, Representative Kolkhorst and the Public Health committee would still be in the dark.. And I suspect the Texas Inspector General and Attorney General’s office would still be turning a blind eye to the red flags they found in 2008.
However, since Richard Malouf - under fraud investigation himself - filed a SLAPP lawsuit last week against WFAA TV; investigative reporter, Byron Harris; Mary C. Jones and his neighbor, Laura Wilson, I’m guessing he’s not as appreciative of the “reporting” and our “Bill of Rights.”
Note, Rep. Kolkhorst said it took a “lot of news reporting” to get their attention. So don’t quit; keep blowing those whistles and beating your drums. Don’t be intimidated by even the sleaziest of those who may try to twist the truth.
On a side note: I don’t live in Texas and I don’t have a clue who Lois Kolkhorst is. But I would vote for her over the two loons we have running for President based on the October 15, 2012 hearing alone.
Leonard Green & Partners are the true owners of Aspen Dental Centers. They own or are heavily invested in several popular brands. (see below)
The one that concerns me is U.S. Renal Care - a renal diseasemanagement company.
Now that we see how they operate Aspen Dental, I shutter to think how this company maintains it’s production numbers or how they keep costs down at U.S. Renal Care. Might be worth someone looking into.
On Monday October 15, 2012, Dr. Diane Coopwood Earle, DDS, Senior Regional Dental Director of Kool Smiles Dental centers gave a 4 page statement, and subsequent testimony before the Texas House of Representatives committee on Public Health. Summary of her statement:
- She’s been a licensed dentist in Texas for 30 years. - Kool Smiles has 38 offices in Texas.They employee 85 dentists in 38 offices in Texas (only 34 show up in 2011 data). - All 38 Kool Smiles are owned by dentists.(Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!) - All clinical and patient treatment decisions are made by the treating dentist - NCDR, LLC handles non-clinical administrative, critical business support and purchasing. (more lies including the fact, only licensed medical professionals are legally able to purchase many medical supplies) - DSO’s are “innovative” business models. (Bernie Madoff too was “innovative”) - As a dentist, DSO’s help her do what she “does best – providing high quality dental care to my patients and spending more time with them.” (she billed Texas for performing 833 procedures on 643 patients in 2011, that’s about 12 patients a week.) - Non-clinical leaders “DO NOT interfere with clinical decisions of the dentists” - She has “NEVER been told by a corporation or corporate entity how to treat our patients.” (I bet that statement comes back to bite her in the ass) - “Without that necessary separation between delivery of professional quality dental care and administrative support, the model would not work.” (this will be another bite on the back side, I bet)
Aspen is not alone, most, if not all of these are operating illegally as well:
Affordable Care, Inc – American Capital Allied Dental Practices American Dental Partners Aspen Dental Management, Inc BrightNow! Children’s Dental Group ClearChoice Dental Associates Dental Care Alliance DentalOne Partners, Inc . – MSD Capital – Michael Dell Dentistry For Children Gentle Dental Group / Northwestern Management Services – Linden Capital Gentle Dental of New England/Gentle Dental Associates Gentle Dental/InterDent, Inc Great Expressions Dental Centers Heartland Dental Care – Code Hennessy & Simmons, LLC ImmediaDent - James Ferrell – Samson Capital Kool Smiles – FFL Partners Lumino The Dentists Midwest Dental – FFL Partners Monarch Mountain Dental Ocean Dental Pacific Dental Services, Inc – Scott A Beck and Jeff Butler Perfect Teeth – Birner Dental Management ReachOut Healthcare America – Morgan Stanley Refresh Dental ImmediaDent – James Ferrell – Samson Capital Small Smiles – Garrison Investment Smile Brands, Inc – Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe TownCare Dental Partnership, Inc - FL. State Representative Michael Bileca West Coast Dental Services, Inc Western Dental Centers
