A dentist from Hicksville has been arrested and is accused of stealing over $300,000 from Medicaid by billing for hundreds of dental procedures that he allegedly never performed.
Attorney General Letitia James announced the arrest on Monday, stating that Suleman Nasimi allegedly submitted false claims to Medicaid even on days he was on vacation in Europe.
The attorney general's investigation alleges that from Jan. 1, 2020, through Aug. 31, 2024, Nasimi claimed he performed hundreds of procedures through his Queens practice, Tooth Fresh Meadows. As a result, several of his patients were allegedly unable to get the dental treatment they needed because Medicaid records reflected they had already received the procedure.
“Fraudsters who steal from Medicaid with fake billing schemes put vulnerable New Yorkers at risk by making it harder for them to get the care they need,” said Attorney General James. “All New Yorkers deserve quality dental care, and my office will not tolerate dentists who put personal greed before their patients. We will continue to ensure that Medicaid fraudsters are held accountable and criminally prosecuted when they break the law.”
Nasimi is alleged to have billed for over $140,000 worth of procedures during periods when his office was closed, and he was away on vacation, according to the Attorney General's Office.
The 46-year-old and Tooth Fresh Meadows were arraigned for two separate 40-count felony complaints. Both were charged with grand larceny, health care fraud and offering a false instrument for filing.
If convicted, Nasimi faces a maximum sentence of five to 15 years in state prison.