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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