Bilal Ahmed, DDS, pleaded guilty on Sept. 6 to a scheme that defrauded Medicaid of more than $5 million, according to the Department of Justice.
Currently serving a 16-year sentence for sexually assaulting patients, the Potomac, Md.,-based dentist was indicted for seven fraud-related crimes in January. Dr. Ahmed pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud, with the other six charges to be dismissed.
Dr. Ahmed owned and operated Universal Smiles, a dental practice in Washington, D.C. After his dental license was suspended and subsequently surrendered, Dr. Ahmed contracted dentists to work at Universal Smile's former location under a new entity called Dental Equipment and Services.
Between Aug. 9, 2012, and Feb. 1, 2016, D.C. Medicaid paid Universal Smiles and DES more than $13 million, with $5.4 million designated for provisional crowns. Dr. Ahmed pocketed approximately $4 million of the $5.4 million, with the office manager pocketing the remaining $1.4 million.
Dr. Ahmed faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $200,000. The plea agreement requires him to pay $5,421,227 in restitution and forfeit nearly $4 million in addition.
Dr. Ahmed's sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2020.
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Currently serving a 16-year sentence for sexually assaulting patients, the Potomac, Md.,-based dentist was indicted for seven fraud-related crimes in January. Dr. Ahmed pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud, with the other six charges to be dismissed.
Dr. Ahmed owned and operated Universal Smiles, a dental practice in Washington, D.C. After his dental license was suspended and subsequently surrendered, Dr. Ahmed contracted dentists to work at Universal Smile's former location under a new entity called Dental Equipment and Services.
Between Aug. 9, 2012, and Feb. 1, 2016, D.C. Medicaid paid Universal Smiles and DES more than $13 million, with $5.4 million designated for provisional crowns. Dr. Ahmed pocketed approximately $4 million of the $5.4 million, with the office manager pocketing the remaining $1.4 million.
Dr. Ahmed faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $200,000. The plea agreement requires him to pay $5,421,227 in restitution and forfeit nearly $4 million in addition.
Dr. Ahmed's sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2020.
More articles on dental:
Dentist pleads guilty to $5M+ Medicaid fraud scheme
9 dental companies making headlines
Employee at Minnesota dental practice stole nitrous oxide, police say