Two dental providers in Connecticut have agreed to civil settlements with federal and state governments to address allegations of violating the False Claims Acts. This action is part of a broader investigation into fraudulent practices by healthcare providers submitting kickback-tainted claims to the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (CTMAP) for services provided to Medicaid patients referred by third-party "patient recruiting" companies.
Advanced Dental Center PC, based in Norwalk, along with its owners Tal Yossefi, DMD, and Elad Yossefi, DDS, allegedly violated their CTMAP provider agreements and the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. They were accused of submitting claims related to dental services rendered to Medicaid patients referred by a third-party recruiter. Advanced Dental Center reportedly paid this recruiter for each referral. The submitted claims impliedly certified compliance with payment conditions, including not paying kickbacks or breaching terms of the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership (CTDHP) provider manual.
The CTDHP manual explicitly forbids per-patient compensation for referrals to CMAP providers. To settle these allegations under the False Claims Acts, Advanced Dental Center and its owners reimbursed $495,721.24 for conduct from July 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018.
Additionally, Nazneen Jaffri, DDS—a former Connecticut-licensed dental provider who operated in Norwalk—agreed to pay $150,000 for conduct from January 1, 2019, through April 24, 2021. She was accused of violating the False Claims Act by submitting claims for services rendered to Medicaid patients referred by a third-party recruiter.
Both parties entered settlement agreements without admitting liability.
The investigation involved multiple agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General; Connecticut Attorney General’s Office; and Connecticut Department of Social Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Thidemann and Assistant Attorney General Joshua L. Jackson prosecuted the case.
Individuals suspecting healthcare fraud are encouraged to report it at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
