The American Dental Association (ADA) announced on November 15 that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has agreed to create a new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code G0330 for dental surgeries performed under anesthesia in hospital operating rooms. The new code resulted from an advocacy campaign driven by the ADA, American
Dentistry
Artificial Intelligence Now Powers Orthodontics
By Eric Fader on
Posted in Dentistry
Align Technology, the manufacturer of the Invisalign system of orthodontic braces, recently announced the release of an improved artificial intelligence-assisted smartphone app that can direct an Invisalign wearer when to advance to his or her next set of aligners. The company’s “Virtual Care AI-assisted Remote Monitoring Solution” helps patients take pictures of their teeth, and…
Fraud Week: Medically Unnecessary Pediatric Root Canals
By Eric Fader on
The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey and New York Attorney General Letitia James both announced on October 6 that pediatric dentist Barry L. Jacobson, his management company, and 13 affiliated pediatric dentistry practices agreed to pay $753,457 to resolve allegations of False Claims Act violations. Between 2011 and 2018, Jacobson and other…
Dental Orgs Urge CMS to Expand Access to ASCs
By Sean Simensky on
On September 13, a coalition of leading dental organizations sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) urging CMS to increase access to dental surgeries in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). The letter was signed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, and American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial…
Dental Care Alliance Settles Cyberattack Lawsuit for $3 Million
By Mary Connolly on
Dental Care Alliance, LLC (DCA) agreed to settle a class action lawsuit that arose out of a 2020 cyberattack. A hearing to approve the $3 million settlement was held on September 1.
DCA, based in Sarasota, Fla., is a dental services organization that provides practice support to over 390 affiliated dental practices across the U.S.…
NYSDA Dental Hygiene Bill Signed into Law
By Rivkin Rounds Staff on
Posted in Dentistry, Legislation and Public Policy
On May 9, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law a dental hygiene bill that allows dental hygienists to use nitrous oxide and local infiltration anesthesia to assist dentists with all dental procedures. The bill, which was originally introduced in the State Senate in May 2021, amends section 6605-b of the Education Law effective…
Transitioning to a DSO: An Emerging Trend in Orthodontic Practice Transitions
By Rivkin Rounds Staff on
Posted in Dentistry
Over the last several years, the dental services industry has become increasingly consolidated, creating significant financial opportunities for investors as well as financial and exit opportunities for dentists. This consolidation has been driven in large part by Dental Services Organizations (DSOs) formed by dentists and/or private financial investors (e.g., private equity) through the acquisition of…
OCR Announces Four HIPAA Enforcement Actions
By Eric Fader on
On March 28, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced four new enforcement actions against healthcare providers for HIPAA violations. Two of the actions were part of OCR’s HIPAA Right of Access Initiative which has been ongoing since 2019.
Three of the actions were against dental…
Recent Developments in Telehealth: For the Pandemic and Beyond
On Thursday, November 18, in the next installment of Rivkin Radler’s Healthcare Compliance Lunch & Learn series, Rivkin Radler Partner Eric D. Fader will present an overview of changes in the provision of telehealth services, and federal and state regulation of them, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. New rules and waivers that are…