Davis Launches Antifraud Campaign Targeting Denti-Cal
Expanding the state's fight against fraud in government-sponsored health programs, Gov. Gray Davis (D) on Monday launched a new antifraud campaign targeting Denti-Cal, the Medi-Cal dental program. Through the initiative, fraud prevention specialists will conduct on-site investigations of dentists who claimed at least $75,000 in Medi-Cal payments in 2000. Investigators from the state Department of Health Services' Audits and Investigations Division, the Office of Medi-Cal Dental Services and Medi-Cal Fraud Prevention Bureau will visit an estimated 3,000 dental clinics statewide, beginning with those in the Los Angeles area. The investigation will be similar to the Medi-Cal Fraud Operation that the DHS conducted last year. Davis said, "This effort is being launched to head off widespread fraud in dental services covered by Medi-Cal. The vast majority of Medi-Cal providers are honest, ethical professionals who provide a valuable service for the people of California. Our actions ... are designed to shut down the few unscrupulous providers who steal from a program that serves the needy" (Office of the Governor release, 3/19).
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