A Connecticut dentist recently waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the federal anti-kickback statute.
Lakshmi Bethi, DMD, admitted to conspiring with multiple individuals who agreed to recruit Medicaid beneficiaries for dental appointments with Dr. Bethi, which she then billed to the Connecticut Medicaid program. Dr. Bethi agreed to pay the recruiters kickbacks in exchange for the appointments. Part of those kickbacks were then passed onto patients for attending the appointments, according to a Sept. 5 news release from the Justice Department.
Dr. Bethi paid the recruiters more than $360,000 in kickbacks between 2016 and 2023. The state Medicaid program reimbursed Dr. Bethi approximately $2.2 million for the services rendered to patients as part of the scheme.
Dr. Bethi faces a maximum five-year prison sentence. As part of the plea, Dr. Bethi also agreed to forfeit $500,000.
A sentencing date for Dr. Bethi has not yet been scheduled.
Jeffrey Malave, 48, one of the patient recruiters who worked with Dr. Bethi, also pleaded guilty to related charges Feb. 28 and is awaiting sentencing.