Scan Medicaid spending data to explain growth, abuses

A screenshot from Byron Harris' investigation, "Crooked Teeth: Medicaid Millions"

Medicaid spending data is an “unmined area” for journalism, says Byron Harris, an investigative reporter for WFAA-TV in Dallas. A tip about excessive Medicaid spending on orthodontics led to the 11-part series “Crooked Teeth: Medicaid Millions,”which exposed several clinics where orthodontic claims were higher than the total orthodontic claims submitted in some states, he says.

Byron says broad searches can be expensive, particularly in states like Texas that charge for computer searches. He narrowed his request to the procedure codes designated for orthodontic care. The data helped show the issue wasn’t isolated to just one dental company, but a much broader issue, he says.

He says a story based on the data would have been fine, but he wanted to “match what was statistically proven in the field.” His segments raise questions about who provides the care at some clinics and whether many children even need braces. They also give viewers birds-eye views of mansions and other luxuries owned by clinic owners. His reporting led the state to shutter the orthodontics program, he says.

Byron Harris

But his coverage didn’t end there. He’s also focused on stories about recruiting Medicaid patients. Byron says he visited a food stamp office and found doctors in the parking lot offering gift cards to entice parents to bring their children in.

But, even more disturbing, some clinics have started kidnapping children, Byron says. In a recent segment, he reports four teenage boys being lured into a van for $10 and driven to dental clinics for treatments – without parental consent. 

When I talked to Byron last week, he was heading to a stake out. Being a huge fan of police shows (I’m going to miss “The Closer”), I asked him why spending that much time was so important. His response: “What makes a story come alive is being able to physically see what a place is. Who lives there? Who works there? From then on, that place is a reality to you.”

I think that’s a great reminder.