WORCESTER, MA— A federal grand jury in Boston has indicted a Worcester dentist, a Chelmsford dentist, and a Worcester office manager for their participation in a scheme to defraud the Massachusetts Medicaid program, commonly known as MassHealth, the U.S. attorney general announced on Thursday.
Worcester dentist Dr. Anthony DiStefano III has been excluded from treating patients under the MassHealth program since 2005. On two occasions he applied to be readmitted to the program but was denied based on concerns of the quality of the care he delivered.
DiStefano recruited Dr. Scott Cale of Chelmsford to join his practice. Between 2014 to 2018 federal prosecutors believe that dental services DiStefano delivered were billed to MassHealth using Cale’s credentials.
DiStefano’s office manager, Robin Cronin of Worcester, is alleged to have known about the arrangement and knowingly billed MassHealth for dental services that were not reimbursable.
DiSteffano faces charges of healthcare fraud, aggravated identity fraud and tax evasion. Both Cale and Cronin face healthcare fraud charges.
Healthcare fraud can carry up to 10 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
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