Two Texas-based dentists paid $3.1 million to resolve allegations that they defrauded the state Medicaid program and violated the False Claims Act, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas.
Dr. Gunjan Dhir and Dr. Gaurav Puri have owned and operated dental management companies and clinics throughout Texas since 2009. The management companies support 35 clinics, which primarily serve low-income children enrolled in the state's Medicaid program, according to the press release.
The dentists are accused of defrauding the Texas Medicaid program between May 30, 2011, and May 30, 2017, by submitting or causing the submission of false claims for payment for fillings that were not performed and used false Medicaid provider numbers that misrepresented dentists who performed procedures.
Part of the allegations were filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by former employees of the dental management companies and clinics. The former employees will also receive a portion of the settlement.