A Michigan dentist is facing 43 felony counts after state prosecutors accused her of billing Medicaid for dental work that was either not performed or billed as a more expensive procedure than patients allegedly received.
Demetra C. Kazanis, DDS, 55, of Northville, was arraigned May 27 in 54B District Court in East Lansing, according to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
Kazanis was charged with one count of conducting a criminal enterprise and 42 counts of Medicaid fraud. The state said the charges are tied to her work at New You Dental clinic in Livonia.
The case remains an allegation. The Attorney General’s Office said a criminal charge is only an allegation and that Kazanis is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The State Says The Billing Did Not Match The Dental Work
Prosecutors allege Kazanis repeatedly billed Michigan’s taxpayer-funded Medicaid program for fillings that were either not performed or were actually less invasive preventive resin restorations.
The Attorney General’s Office said preventive resin restorations are limited to the tooth’s enamel surface and do not require drilling into the dentin or the use of anesthesia. Fillings, by contrast, are more extensive procedures reimbursed by Medicaid at a higher rate.
ClickOnDetroit reported that the alleged scheme involved dental procedures billed to the state Medicaid program while Kazanis practiced at the Livonia clinic.
The Most Serious Count Carries Up To 20 Years
The conducting a criminal enterprise charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Each Medicaid fraud count is punishable by up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.
Kazanis was given a $50,000 personal recognizance bond. The Attorney General’s Office said she was next due in court June 5 for a probable cause conference.
The case is being handled by the Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division, Michigan’s federally certified Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Patients And Taxpayers Are Both Part Of The Case
Attorney General Dana Nessel said abuse of the Medicaid program diverts critical funds from people who need them.
“Patients should be able to trust their dentist to provide appropriate care, just as taxpayers should be able to trust Medicaid providers to bill honestly,” Nessel said in the state release.
The allegation is not that patients were overcharged directly at the counter. The state says the taxpayer-funded Medicaid program was billed for dental work that did not match what was allegedly done.
The state has not announced a conviction, plea, or final finding against Kazanis. Prosecutors still have to prove the allegations in court.