Dead dentist's identity used to allegedly commit fraud

A former dentist from New Jersey has agreed to pay $1.1 million to settle Medicaid fraud allegations after he assumed the identity of a deceased dentist, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG).

Roben Brookhim, who was banned from participating in federal healthcare programs in 2000 and later lost his dental license, allegedly ran a Medicaid-participating organization under the name of another dentist. Brookhim presented false Medicaid claims and billed for services delivered by an excluded provider from 2005 to 2012, according to the OIG.

In addition to the $1 million payment, Brookhim was also banned from participating in federal healthcare programs for 50 years, one of the largest exclusion periods imposed by the OIG, according to the office's chief counsel.