Newton Dentist to Pay State Medicaid $475K for Alleged Improper Billing

NEWTON, MA – A Newton dentist will pay the state's Medicaid program $475,000 to resolve allegations of improper billing for dental work performed at 21 offices, the attorney general announced Wednesday.

The attorney general's office alleges that between May 2010 and December 2016, Dr. Julia Faigel, her professional dental practices and her brother, who was the managing director of the practices, improperly billed the state's Medicaid program, MassHealth.

MassHealth was allegedly billed for concurrent palliative treatment of dental pain along with definitive treatment – simple or surgical extraction – on the same date of service, which is prohibited under MassHealth's and the American Dental Association's regulations.

The settlement also resolves allegations of improper claims submission listing Faigel as the servicing provider, where work was reportedly performed by other dentists.

Faigel, her brother, and the dental practices and employees must review and comply with all state and federal statutes and regulations governing participation in MassHealth under the settlement.

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