Dental Law Blog | The Health Law Firm Blog

Dentists: Call The Health Law Firm Attorneys From Representation in Short-Notice Depositions and Hearings

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Our attorneys often receive calls from dentists and other health professionals regarding the possibility of representing them on short notice at a Board of Dentistry hearing, or at a deposition related to a health care matter.

We Take Last Minute Cases.

Some law firms may refuse to represent a client at a hearing unless given advance notice. In a perfect world, we would prefer to have a sufficient amount of time to prepare for a case in order to provide our clients with the best representation. However, we know the alternative is that the client either […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:44-04:00May 15, 2018|Board of Dentistry, Dentist Defense attorney, Dentists|

Florida Board of Dentistry Proposes Change to Minimum Record Keeping Requirements for Dentists

By Christopher E. Brown, J.D., The Health Law Firm

On August 22, 2014, the Florida Board of Dentistry will meet to discuss implementing new requirements for record keeping. We believe that these changes are due to the Board’s concern over potential ambiguity with the current regulations, and due to the recent difficulty it had in disciplining Florida dentists for record keeping violations.

Read on for an outline of the proposed new requirements. Be sure to check this blog regularly. We will have a firm representative at this meeting and will post any updates.

Current Florida Rule.

Rule 64B5-17.002, Florida Administrative Code, provides the minimum record keeping requirements placed on Florida’s dentists. Currently, the rule requires […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:44-04:00May 15, 2018|Board of Dentistry, Dental Law, Dentistry Law, Dentists|

Administrative Final Orders Must State Findings of Fact Based on the Evidence Presented

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Health Law

Following is a summary of a recent appellate case on an issue relevant to health law:

Borges v. Dep’t of Health, 143 So. 3d 1185 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014).
Gustavo Borges (Borges) appealed a final order of the Florida Board of Dentistry that revoked his license to practice dentistry based on a conviction of the knowing receipt of child pornography under a federal statute.

At hearing, eight lay witnesses and four expert witnesses testified. In the recommended order’s discussion of the evidence presented, […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:44-04:00May 15, 2018|Board of Dentistry, Dental Law, Dentist Defense attorney, Dentistry Law|

Phony Dentist Charged with Child Abuse After Injuring Teen During Procedures

George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A Miami man, his wife and their daughter have been charged with child abuse following two alleged dental procedures that left a 14-year-old girl permanently disfigured. According to a number of sources, the three were arrested on September 12, 2012, at their home-operated dental office.

Click here to see the man’s arrest affidavit from the Miami Police Department.

14-Year-Old Patient Left in Pain and Disfigured.

According to the Miami Herald, when the 14-year-old girl broke a front tooth, she and her mother went to the man, […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:04-04:00May 15, 2018|Dental Law, Dentist Defense attorney, Dentistry Law, Dentists|

Dentists: Tightened Controls on Prescribing to Medicare Part D Patients Could Affect Your Practice

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Starting June 1, 2015, Medicare Part D will no longer reimburse patients or pharmacies for prescriptions unless the dentist opts in and enrolls in Medicare, or opts out and enters into a private contract with the patient. This measure is part of a rule finalized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The purpose of the rule is to assist CMS in cracking down on doctors, dentists and other health care providers that are improperly prescribing drugs to Medicare patients.

Medicare Part D plans provide supplemental optional coverage for prescription medication used in dentistry, […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:09-04:00May 15, 2018|Dental Law, Dentistry Law, Dentists, Insurance|

The 25 Biggest Mistakes Dentists Make After Being Notified of a Department of Health Complaint

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The investigation of a complaint which could lead to the revocation of a dentist’s license to practice and the assessment of tens of thousands of dollars in fines, usually starts with a simple letter from the Department of Health (DOH). This is a very serious legal matter and it should be treated as such by the dentist who receives it. Yet, in many cases, attorneys are consulted by dentists after the entire investigation is over, and they have attempted to represent themselves throughout the case. Often, the mistakes that have been made severely […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:42-04:00May 15, 2018|Dental Law, Dentistry Law, Dentists|

Avoid Costly HIPAA Violations with a HIPAA Risk Assessment

By Danielle M. Murray, J.D.

As a health care provider or owner of a health facility, you know about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. You know that you must safeguard and protect confidential patient medical information to avoid civil and criminal penalties against you and your practice. Did you know that you may need a HIPAA Risk Assessment?

All Health Care Providers Face the Risk of Being Audited.

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is stepping up enforcement around the country of “covered entities” and business associates. OCR auditors will send a letter informing you that within 30 days, they will be in your office reviewing your […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:43-04:00May 15, 2018|Dental Law, Dentist Defense attorney, Dentistry Law, Licensure matters|

NAS Insurance (NAS) Attorneys, Lawyers and Defense Council in Florida

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Often we learn after the fact that a health professional such as physicians, dentists and other health professionals has received NAS Insurance, has had a legal problem, and has not been able to locate an attorney or law firm that accepts this type of insurance. We have offices in Florida and Colorado, but we have attorneys licensed in Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, the District of Columbia, Virginia and other states.

Additionally, we can provide legal advice and representation in license investigations and administrative proceedings in many other states.

If you have NAS Insurance, do not go without an […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:43-04:00May 15, 2018|Dental Law, Dentist Defense attorney, Dentists|

Connecticut Dentist Gets Drilled in Huge Medicaid Fraud Case

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A dentist and owner of a number of clinics in Connecticut is feeling the pain of justice. According to a number of news sources, Gary Anusavice will spend the next eight (8) years in prison for targeting poor patients, performing unnecessary dental procedures and collecting $21 million in fraudulent Medicaid claims. He was sentenced on October 9, 2013.

To read an article on the dentist’s sentencing from The Hartford Courant, click here.

Dentist Must Forfeit Luxury Items.

On top of prison time, the dentist will have to pay $3.3 million in restitution and […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:43-04:00May 15, 2018|Dental Law, Dentist Defense attorney, Dentistry Law, Licensure matters|

Florida Medicaid Audits Dental Claims

By Michael L. Smith, R.R.T., J.D., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is auditing Medicaid claims submitted by dental providers in Florida. AHCA is auditing dental practices looking for claims that were not billed in compliance with the Florida Medicaid Dental Services Coverage and Limitations Handbook. AHCA’s audits are focused on claims that are billed too frequently, claims that are billed on the same date of service as a redundant code, and claims that have been unbundled when they should have been billed as part of a comprehensive code.

Specific Dental Codes Being Audited.

Dental providers that are the subject of these audits may […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:44-04:00May 15, 2018|Dental Law, Dentist Defense attorney, Dentistry Law, Dentists|