An oral surgeon charged with sexually assaulting sedated patients is under investigation by the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners after filing millions of dollars in Medicaid reimbursement claims, according to a Jan. 26 report from WECT, an NBC affiliate.
Michael Hasson, DDS, of Wilmington (N.C.) Oral Surgery filed nearly $5 million in claims between 2014 and 2019, the report said. That's about five times the average amount for oral surgeons.
Dr. Hasson's billing data shows he frequently charged Medicaid to keep patients sedated for extended periods of time, something usually necessary for more complicated procedures, the report said. The board will have to determine if those long sedation times were medically necessary or if he was upcoding to get more money.
In 2019, Dr. Hasson was charged in the alleged sexual assault of four female patients ages 17 to 22, who were under sedation. At the time, he was released on bond and required to be monitored while treating patients.
Dr. Hasson now faces criminal charges involving 23 female patients who claim he assaulted them, and his dental license has been suspended pending his trial, according to WECT.
In January, a judge awarded a $4 million default judgment to one of his accusers in a civil lawsuit, according to the news station.
WECT could not reach Dr. Hasson for comment.
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