Quincy, Mass.-based Dazzling Smile dentist Shahrzad Haghayegh-Askarian, DMD, was charged with insurance fraud, according to The Patriot Ledger.
Here are five insights:
1. Dr. Haghayegh-Askarian was banned from accepting MassHealth patients in 2015. A 2013 audit found the dentist claimed MassHealth funds for unallowable and sometimes medically excessive services between 2008 and 2011.
2. After the audit, Dr. Haghayegh-Askarian agreed to a $300,000 settlement. She could begin accepting MassHealth patients again if she met certain standards and underwent a monitoring program. Dr. Haghayegh-Askarian did neither.
3. Despite being banned from the program, Dr. Haghayegh-Askarian continued to accept MassHealth patients. She billed $218,000 worth of services using the name and identification number of another dentist without his knowledge.
4. The dentist whose name she falsely used contacted the state auditor's office to report the fraudulent billing when he discovered it in September 2017. The state auditor recommended Dr. Haghayegh-Askarian's license be revoked.
5. Dr. Haghayegh-Askarian previously had her licensed suspended in May 2013 after the board received complaints from patients.
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Here are five insights:
1. Dr. Haghayegh-Askarian was banned from accepting MassHealth patients in 2015. A 2013 audit found the dentist claimed MassHealth funds for unallowable and sometimes medically excessive services between 2008 and 2011.
2. After the audit, Dr. Haghayegh-Askarian agreed to a $300,000 settlement. She could begin accepting MassHealth patients again if she met certain standards and underwent a monitoring program. Dr. Haghayegh-Askarian did neither.
3. Despite being banned from the program, Dr. Haghayegh-Askarian continued to accept MassHealth patients. She billed $218,000 worth of services using the name and identification number of another dentist without his knowledge.
4. The dentist whose name she falsely used contacted the state auditor's office to report the fraudulent billing when he discovered it in September 2017. The state auditor recommended Dr. Haghayegh-Askarian's license be revoked.
5. Dr. Haghayegh-Askarian previously had her licensed suspended in May 2013 after the board received complaints from patients.
More articles on dentists:
Tennessee dentist admits to shooting girlfriend in his home: 5 things to know
Arizona dental board unanimously votes to allow arrested dentist to keep license: 5 insights
Henry Schein dental sales jump 8.4% to $1.6B in Q2: 5 things to know