NH dentist under fire for untimely patient refunds

The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office has ordered a Bedford, NH, dentist to pay civil penalties and restitution to patients after he did not reimburse them in a timely manner for services covered by their insurance provider.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Marshall Baldassarre, DMD, was cited for violations of the Consumer Protection Act for having engaged in unfair or deceptive business practices, according to the New Hampshire Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General. He had billed some patients upfront for services covered by Northeast Delta Dental. Once Dr. Baldassarre was reimbursed for the patient procedures, however, he failed to provide refunds to those patients in a "timely or reasonable manner," according to the justice department.

After the Attorney General's Office investigated his practice, Dr. Baldassarre issued $230,737 worth of refund checks to more than 1,500 patients. He still owes another $22,722 to an additional 201 patients, who he has not been able to locate. Under a settlement agreement, if he cannot locate the patients within one year, Dr. Baldassarre will donate the remaining money to a charity approved by the attorney general.

The settlement agreement also requires Dr. Baldassarre to pay $50,000 in civil penalties and reimburse the state $20,000 for legal costs and expenses. In addition, he must submit to an annual audit.