Two Korean American dentists have agreed to pay a $498,310 fine to settle allegations of healthcare fraud involving false Medicare and Medicaid claims.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on May 6 that Choi Bo-Heon and Son Mi-Jeong, who run C&S Family Dental in New Britain and Waterbury, Connecticut, agreed to pay $498,310 to resolve violations of federal and state False Claims Acts.
According to prosecutors, the dentists were enrolled in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (CTMAP) and were accused of submitting false Medicaid claims between April 2018 and January 2020.
Kickbacks, Unnecessary Procedures in Medicare Fraud Case
The investigation found that the dentists paid $110 per patient to a third-party recruiter to bring in patients. Authorities stated that the dentists then provided unnecessary dental services and submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid, receiving improper payments.
The case was investigated jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG), the Connecticut Department of Social Services, and the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office.
How to Report Medicare Fraud
Authorities encourage the public to report suspected healthcare fraud. Tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
BY YEOL JANG [jang.yeol@koreadaily.com]