52 restorations claimed in one patient visit in NY

An audit of New York State Medicaid payments caught some outrageous instances of fraud by dentists, according to the Government Technology newsletter.

Last week, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released an audit that uncovered $1.8 million in overpayments, the newsletter said.

According to the report, one dentist billed Medicaid for restoring 32 teeth in each of seven patients, then later for extracting the same 32 teeth. The dentist also claimed he restored or extracted 32 teeth in one visit.

Another dentist claimed he had restored 52 fillings in one patient visit, the newsletter said.