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Breaking News: Audit Finds Millions Wasted, Possible Fraud In Medicaid Dental Spending
The Boston Globe reports on a just-released state audit that uncovered about $5.7 million of "overcharges and other unnecessary costs," as well as potential fraud, in the Medicaid dental program.
The audit's findings included:
-- Numerous X-rays were taken routinely and not for specific purposes, resulting in $5.2 million in unallowable payments.
-- One orthodontist was overpaid by $321,553 because of a lack of control of spending on orthodontic services.
-- A review of 258 patient files found 11 instances of double billing for the same procedure. MassHealth's claims processing system failed to identify them as duplicates.
-- X-ray charges that were supposed to be bundled together were charged separately, allowing overpayment to one provider of $162,863.
This program aired on November 17, 2010. The audio for this program is not available.

Rachel Zimmerman Health Reporter
Rachel Zimmerman previously reported on health and the intersection of health and business for Bostonomix.
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