The Whistleblower Institute announces that MB2 Dental Solutions (MB2) and 21 pediatric dental practices affiliated with MB2, along with their owners and marketing chief reached a $8.45 million settlement in a False Claims Act Allegations lawsuit over knowingly submitting, or causing the submission of, claims for pediatric dental services that were not rendered, were tainted by kickbacks, or falsely identified the person who performed the service.
Those who have a similar case or experienced a similar situation or any other wrongdoing within a corporation have certain options and should contact the Whistleblower Institute at mail@whistleblowerinstitute.com or call: 619-452–1218.
Reportedly, this settlement resolves allegations that between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2014, MB2 and affiliated dental practices submitted claims to the Texas Medicaid Fee for Service Program for single-surface fillings in children that were not provided. Allegedly, the settlement also resolves allegations that MB2 paid kickbacks to Medicaid beneficiaries and their families, marketers, and marketing entities, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and that MB2 and affiliated dental practices used erroneous Medicaid provider numbers misrepresenting the dentists performing the pediatric procedures.
As part of the settlement, five Texas-based MB2 dentists, Christopher Steven Villanueva, Trung Minh Tang, Mauricio Dardano, Gabriel Shahwan and Akhil Reddy have agreed to pay the government $250,000 each to resolve individual claims against them. MB2’s marketing head, Frank Villanueva, agreed to pay $100,000 to resolve claims against him.
Furthermore, all five dentists entered into a five year Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, which requires that an independent organization will annually review claims reimbursed by federal health care programs to ensure they were correctly coded and documented and medically necessary.
The whistleblower, a former employee of MB2, Veronica Garcia will receive $1.52 million from the settlement.
Based in Carrollton, Texas, MB2 Dental Solutions is a management consulting and practice development company that gives dental practice owners the access to services and resources of larger companies.
The Whistleblower Institute is an information portal for current or former employees and other people having insight information about wrongdoing and other illegal activities by individuals either individually or within corporations, through company culture and or within international affairs. Whistleblowers should keep in mind that under the Dodd-Frank Act any person who provides the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) with original information that leads to a successful enforcement action with over $1 million recovered must be awarded between 10%-30% of the total amount recovered. In order to determine the total amount of the reward there are numerous factors that need to be considered. Whistleblower actions are complex and our goal is to guide any whistleblower every step of the way. The Whistleblower Institute is dedicated to partnering with any individual who have information about fraud and we work with many of the best law firms worldwide.
Those who have a similar case or experienced a similar situation or any other wrongdoing within a corporation have certain options and should contact the Whistleblower Institute.
Contact:
Whistleblower Institute
2534 State Street – Suite 406
San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Phone: +1 (619) 452–1218
Facsimile: +1 (619) 785 – 3185
Email: mail@whistleblowerinstitute.com