UPDATE: Dr. Anthony DiStefano plead not guilty at Thursday’s arraignment.
Original story:
WORCESTER – A Worcester dentist will appear in federal court on Thursday to be arraigned on charges healthcare fraud, aggravated identity fraud and tax evasion.
Last week, Dr. Anthony DiStefano III was indicted in Boston along with a Chelmsford dentist, and DiStefano’s office manager for their participation in a scheme to defraud the Massachusetts Medicaid program
DiStefano 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.
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.
Lead photo credit: Muffet on Visual Hunt / CC BY
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