Langhorne, Pa.-based Infinity Dental has agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations that it misled patients into purchasing expensive dental services by falsely claiming Medicare would cover the costs.
The dental group, which does business as Alpha Dental Excellence, allegedly used aggressive sales tactics to lure elderly patients into purchasing costly procedures based on false Medicare coverage representations. Alpha Dental either never submitted claims to Medicare, or when it did, the claims were denied, according to a June 18 news release from the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.
Alpha Dental also allegedly submitted third-party loan and financing applications on behalf of patients, at times without their knowledge or consent. Additionally, the dental group was accused of violating the Credit Services Act by failing to provide the mandatory disclosures aimed at protecting patients’ rights when entering loan agreements.
As part of the settlement, Alpha Dental will pay roughly $517,000 in restitution to affected patients, $232,983 in civil penalties and $250,000 in investigation costs. Alpha Dental is also prohibited from misrepresenting insurance coverage and from assisting patients with third-party financing arrangements beyond noting that credit options are available.
The settlement is pending court approval.
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