Maryland AG reaches $340,000 settlement with periodontist

BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler announced a $340,000 settlement Thursday with a Salisbury periodontist for allegedly billing the Medicaid program for services that were not rendered.

Stewart Perim, a board-certified periodontist specializing in orthodontics, allegedly billed the Medicaid program for services like bite adjustments, fillings and appointments for office visits that were never rendered. The agreement with the state of Maryland requires that Perim repay the Medicaid program $340,000.

Gansler's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit conducted a five-year inquiry into Perim's practice, including interviews with Perim's former patients and staff, in addition to consultations with multiple dental experts.

"The outcome of this lengthy investigation was worth the wait for Maryland taxpayers," Gansler said. "Our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will hold accountable medical professionals who try to cheat the system."

Under the terms of the agreement, Perim will no longer be a provider in the Maryland Medicaid program starting Jan. 1.

Gansler thanked members of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, including Tom Rafter, the assistant attorney general, John Bettinger and Valerie Puig, two investigators, and Ruth Jarrell, an auditor, for their work on the matter.