N.J. Dentist Posed As Dead Man After Losing License, Fined $1.1M

A New Jersey dentist has been fined $1.1 million for posing as a dead man after losing his license and then participating in a fraudulent billing scheme, according to federal officials

New Jersey dentist Dr. Roben Brookhim of Short Hills agreed to pay $1.1 million and accept a 50-year exclusion from participating in federal health care programs as part of his punishment, according to a release from the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

As part of his fraud scheme, Brookhim assumed the identity of a licensed New Jersey dentist, Dr. John Kirkland Jr., to provide services to patients, according to officials.

Brookhim practiced in New Providence, where he assumed the name and license number of Kirkland, a dentist who died in October 2011. Brookhim also used the name in West Orange and Springfield and at a Family Dental Center office in West New York, according to the state Division of Consumer Affairs.

Kirkland was registered to practice dentistry at all four offices before he died. The exact relationship between both individuals, and the owners of the dental offices, is under investigation. Kirkland died of natural causes; foul play was not suspected in his death, according to state officials.

Brookhim presented false claims to Medicaid, billing for services and owning and controlling a Medicaid-participating entity even though he wasn't licensed, according to the release. Brookhim presented claims for services to various New Jersey Medicaid managed care organizations, identifying Kirkland as having providing services

"Fifty years is one of the longest exclusion periods ever imposed by our office," said Gregory E. Demske, Chief Counsel to the HHS Inspector General in the release. "This period of exclusion, coupled with the significant monetary recovery, is an appropriate resolution for an individual who went to such great lengths to defraud a Federal health care program and put patients at risk."

From November 2005 through October 2012, Brookhim owned, controlled and managed Associated Dental NP, or ADNP, a dental practice with multiple locations even though he lost his license in 2004, according to the release.

"This case sends a strong warning that individuals who intentionally circumvent exclusion to defraud Federal health care programs face substantial consequences. OIG is committed to protecting program beneficiaries and funds from individuals who violate their exclusions," said Demske.

Under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law, OIG may seek civil money penalties, assessments and exclusion for causing submission of false or fraudulent claims to federal health care programs, according to the release.

Patch file photo