Success Stories

United Concordia's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is responsible for coordinating all fraud investigations with various Federal and State law enforcement agencies. These agencies include, but are not limited to, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, State Insurance Fraud Divisions, State Attorney General's Offices, and United States Attorney's Offices. SIU relies on various methods to detect unusual patterns that may indicate fraud. These methods include data analysis, referrals from patients/dentists, and anonymous sources. SIU investigates all cases of suspected fraud and when warranted, aids in the prosecution of individuals to the fullest extent of the law. The following success stories illustrate SIU's efforts to date.

November 2005

Dentist Pleads Guilty to Theft Charges

September 2005, a former Hanover Township, PA dentist, pleads guilty to theft charges. Alireza Asgari, DDS, 43, a native of Iran, plead guilty to a total of 42 felony counts consisting of theft and criminal attempt to commit theft, and 37 misdemeanor counts of the same crimes. He faces a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment on each felony count and a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment on each misdemeanor count. In exchange for his guilty plea, the State of PA, Deputy Attorney General withdrew 32 counts of insurance fraud against him.

In November 2005, a Luzerne County Judge sentenced Asgari to 2 1/2 to 5 years of imprisonment. The Judge told him, he can not practice dentistry, or be associated with any dental practice, as long as he is in prison, on parole or serving his 15 years of probation. Asagri is required to pay restitution in the amount of $90,386 to insurance companies and patients who paid him out of their pocket; an escrow account was set up. He also could face deportation from the United States following his imprisonment.

Finally, Asgari faces more than 160 civil malpractice lawsuits that have been filed by former patients alleging that he performed shoddy dental work. Several patients claimed he imbedded broken dental tools in their teeth causing them pain and suffering, according to the civil lawsuits. At least eight civil lawsuits are ready for trial scheduled to begin in early 2006.

October 2004

Dentist Found Guilty of Dental Fraud

On October 7, Alan Aronowitz, DDS, a Pittsburgh, Pa. dentist, was found guilty of encouraging assistants to perform unnecessary procedures and bilking insurance companies out of thousands of dollars. U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab sentenced Aronowitz to four years in federal prison followed by three years of probation. The judge also ordered him to pay restitution of nearly $200,000 to United Concordia.

Dr. Aronowitz defrauded United Concordia of $ 199,624 between August 1997 and April 2002 when he filed claims for reimbursement of procedures completed by his assistants. He would begin a procedure then allow his assistants to do the filing and filling of the canal that state law requires a licensed dentist to perform. The assistants also administered Novocain and used low-speed drills.

According to newspaper reports and eyewitness accounts, Aronowitz directed his assistants to perform and bill for the procedures, while he slept in a back room. These employees were also instructed not to complain about doing inappropriate or unlawful tasks, as a condition of continued employment.

Dr. Arnowitz's sentencing should provide some comfort and demonstrate that the justice system will hold fraud perpetrators accountable for their crimes.

Aronowitz first came to the attention of United Concordia's Special Investigations Unit as the result of an investigative demand. The FBI sought information regarding Aronowitz's prior aberrant billings to assist in their investigation. This exchange and coordination of efforts ultimately lead to federal charges, an indictment and subsequent guilty plea.

United Concordia's Special Investigations Unit takes all member, subscriber and client fraud complaints very seriously and responds quickly. Our prompt, responsive service helps to protect our customers from fraud perpetrators, such as this dentist.

The state Board of Dentistry temporarily suspended Aronowitz's license in May. A decision on possible permanent suspension is expected soon. Aronowitz is expected to self-report to federal prison at Morgantown, W. Va. in six to eight weeks.