Owner of Denver dental practice charged with $400,000 in Medicaid fraud

Apr. 2, 2019 (DENVER, Colo.) — Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has filed charges against John Trahan, the owner of Americas Children Dental Clinic (ACDC) in Denver. Trahan is accused of fraudulently obtaining over $400,000 in funds from the Colorado Medicaid Program between 2013 and 2016. Trahan—who is not a dentist—employed licensed dentists to provide services to Medicaid patients.

The allegation is that Trahan routinely billed the Medicaid program for services that ACDC did not provide to patients, and submitted billing to the Medicaid program indicating that work was performed by dentists that at one point worked for ACDC, but were no longer employed by the practice.

“Nearly 1.4 million people (opens new tab) people in Colorado are covered by Medicaid, which has greatly improved the overall health of our state. One of my priorities as Attorney General is to fight for and protect health care, including for those covered under the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion. In order to protect the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens, our office is committed to going after and prosecuting irresponsible companies or individuals who seek to defraud the system for their own personal gain,” said Weiser.

Trahan was arrested yesterday by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and charged with theft (F3) and two counts of computer crime (F3). Trahan has posted bond and his next appearance is set for Denver County Court on April 15, 2019.

The Colorado Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing conducted the investigation.

The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of Medicaid provider fraud. The unit also investigates and prosecutes abuse of patients and residents in hospitals, nursing homes and board and care facilities. To report suspected Medicaid fraud or abuse, contact the AG’s Office at mfcu.investigations@coag.gov or (720) 508-6696.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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CONTACT
Lawrence Pacheco, Director of Communications
(720) 508-6553 office | (720) 245-4689 cell
Email: Lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov