Feds: Cuyahoga County dentist settles allegations he submitted ineligible Medicaid claims
Ohioans participate in an Americans For Prosperity-Ohio rally at the Ohio Statehouse against Medicaid fraud. (Photo by Todd DeFeo)
A Cuyahoga County dentist agreed to resolve allegations that he submitted Medicaid claims for services ineligible for reimbursement, a deal that was announced as part of a nationwide crackdown on fraud.
According to prosecutors, Stanley Meckler, 72, of Pepper Pike, will pay $500,000 to settle allegations that he violated the False Claims Act, which imposes liability for false claims submitted to the federal government. The agreement follows an investigation by federal, state, and local authorities into John W. Ball, 68, who was employed by Meckler’s Family Dental Care practice in Parma.
“Medicaid fraud steals from taxpayers and vulnerable Ohioans,” Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said in a release. “If you try to cheat this program, you will be held accountable.”
"Medicaid fraud steals from taxpayers and vulnerable Ohioans," AG Wilson said. "If you try to cheat this program, you will be held accountable.” https://t.co/IjzlY52kMX
— Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson (@OhioAG) June 24, 2026
Investigators said they learned that Ball was excluded from the Medicaid program, which primarily provides benefits to qualified low-income people and is administered by the Ohio Department of Medicaid, for defaulting on a federal loan.
Despite the exclusion, prosecutors said that Meckler billed ODM for services provided by Ball, listing Meckler as the rendering provider instead of Ball. In 2021, Meckler sold the practice, and the new owner discovered that Ball was excluded from Medicaid provider status, the feds said.
The settlement, announced on Tuesday as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, comes as lawmakers at the state level reckon with allegations of widespread fraud. In total, authorities leveled charges against 455 people, including 90 doctors, as part of the crackdown.
“Providers who submit claims for payment from federal healthcare programs have a responsibility to verify that those claims are legitimate,” U.S. Attorney Toepfer said in a release. “It is our duty to ensure that each taxpayer dollar is spent wisely. Therefore, if we suspect fraud, we are obligated to earnestly investigate such matters and hold people accountable for their actions.”
