Press Release  AG Healey Secures Refunds for Masshealth Members Wrongfully Charged by Danvers Pediatric Practice

Boston — A Danvers-based pediatric practice will pay $15,000 to resolve allegations that it billed MassHealth patients for missed appointments, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Under the terms of the settlement, North Shore Pediatrics will pay $15,000 to resolve allegations that it knowingly and willfully charged MassHealth patients missed appointment fees for any appointments that the patient did not cancel in advance of the scheduled time.

Under MassHealth regulations, doctors’ offices are prohibited from charging MassHealth patients out-of-pocket fees for covered services, including any costs associated with appointments that patients are unable to make.

This settlement will provide full restitution for MassHealth patients wrongfully charged by North Shore Pediatrics. MassHealth members eligible for restitution will be contacted in the coming weeks. Any funds that cannot be returned to MassHealth members will be transferred to the Commonwealth’s Unclaimed Property Division, where they will be held until claimed by their rightful owners.

This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Goldstein, Senior Health Care Fraud Investigator Christine Barker and Investigator Shelby Stephens, all of the AG Healey’s Medicaid Fraud Division. MassHealth also provided assistance during this investigation.

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