Conn. AG sues 28 in dental Medicaid fraud case

Just days after a Connecticut dentist and former dentist were arrested for Medicaid fraud, the attorney general (AG) of Connecticut has brought a civil action against 26 other individuals, dental practices, and corporations for their alleged role in the elaborate and illegal scheme.

The charges allege $24 million in fraudulent Medicaid clams over two years.

The complaint seeks restitution, treble damages, and civil penalties, as well as a permanent injunction against the unlawful acts and practices alleged in the complaint.

Gary Anusavice, a former dentist, of North Kingstown, RI, and Mehran Zamani, DDS, of Pound Ridge, NY were arrested last week. Also named in the state's complaint are Paul Anusavice of North Grafton, MA; John Gallagher of Manchester, MA; David Wu, DDS, DMD, of Cheshire, CT; and Alphonso Mack, DMD, of Bloomfield, CT.

The complaint alleges that Drs. Zamani, Wu, and Mack, as part owners, managing members, or directors of the named dental practices, knew of Anusavice's ownership role and failed to disclose it on enrollment or re-enrollment forms for the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program. Anusavice lost his license after a felony false healthcare claims conviction in 1997 and was permanently excluded from participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs in 1998 as a result.

The attorney general's complaint also names the dental practices and other corporations created or controlled by the various individuals, including E.G.A. Management, Haven Consulting, and AMZ Consulting, Dental Care of Connecticut, N.B. Dental, Electron Marketing, Dental Group of Stamford, Dentists Group of Stamford, Dental Group of Connecticut, Dentists Group of Connecticut, Dental Group of Waterbury, Dentists Group of Waterbury, Dental Group of Danbury, Dental Group of New Britain, Dental Group of Hartford, Hartford Dental Care, Hartford Dental Inc., Arbor Dental Association, Alpha Dental Group, and Wintonbury Dental Associates.

This is the first case the state has initiated under the Connecticut False Claims Act, according to Attorney General George Jepsen.