An Edgewood, Fla., dentist was arrested after an investigation discovered he had been allegedly charging low-income patients for Medicaid-covered services, double-billing and pressuring patients into unnecessary procedures, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Ignacio A. Baez Vargas, DDS, and his wife, Wilma Garcia, are both facing Medicaid fraud and organized fraud charges, totaling $1,463 in fraudulent charges, according to an affidavit signed by Thomas Cronin, a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigator.
"It is believed that Dr. Baez/Wilma Garcia purposely misinformed their staff...so that they would collect these improper payments unknowingly and as a way for Dr. Baez/Wilma Garcia to generate additional income," the affidavit said.
The couple would also allegedly use a billing code that wasn't accepted by Medicaid so patients believed the services were not covered.
"In many instances the Medicaid recipients were unable to initiate and/or complete the much needed services because of financial burdens created by Dr. Baez/Wilma Garcia, therefore possibly jeopardizing their overall health," the affidavit said.
Dr. Baez Vargas and Ms. Garcia did not respond to a call from the Orlando Sentinel Sept. 30.
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Ignacio A. Baez Vargas, DDS, and his wife, Wilma Garcia, are both facing Medicaid fraud and organized fraud charges, totaling $1,463 in fraudulent charges, according to an affidavit signed by Thomas Cronin, a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigator.
"It is believed that Dr. Baez/Wilma Garcia purposely misinformed their staff...so that they would collect these improper payments unknowingly and as a way for Dr. Baez/Wilma Garcia to generate additional income," the affidavit said.
The couple would also allegedly use a billing code that wasn't accepted by Medicaid so patients believed the services were not covered.
"In many instances the Medicaid recipients were unable to initiate and/or complete the much needed services because of financial burdens created by Dr. Baez/Wilma Garcia, therefore possibly jeopardizing their overall health," the affidavit said.
Dr. Baez Vargas and Ms. Garcia did not respond to a call from the Orlando Sentinel Sept. 30.
More articles on dental:
HHS gives Florida health centers $4.6M for dental care
Nebraska dentists file complaint against state insurance department
Seniors prone to illness caused by poor oral hygiene