Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
HHS Audit Identifies Potential Medicaid Overbilling By Calif. Dentists
The Associated Press: Audit Questions Medicaid Billing By 335 California Dentists
A California dentist who treats children under Medicaid billed for more than 1,000 services a day for almost 100 days in 2012. Another provided 33 procedures — including multiple stainless steel crowns and baby root canals — to a 4-year-old during a visit. Another received an extremely high payment per child — $699 compared with a statewide average payment of $166 per child. (Chang, 5/18)
Los Angeles Times: Doctor With Revoked License Continues To Sell Unproven Stem Cell Treatments
Last fall, two decades after Malibu psychiatrist William Rader began selling unproven stem cell treatments to desperate patients with incurable conditions, California authorities permanently revoked his medical license for negligence, false or misleading advertising and professional misconduct. "His dishonesty permeates every aspect of his business and practices," the medical board wrote in a scathing 39-page decision. (Zarembo, 5/16)
Los Angeles Times: Doctor Convicted In Prescription Drug Sting
A southern California pain-management doctor who was featured in a 2012 Times investigation of patient overdose deaths was convicted Thursday of illegally prescribing narcotics and other commonly abused drugs. Dr. John Dimowo was convicted of seven counts of illegally writing prescriptions for Vicodin, Xanax and Adderall to undercover agents who pretended to be patients and had no legitimate need for the drugs. (Glover, 5/15)
