Skip to Main Content
Menu
Contact Us Search
CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance

Criminal Charges for Dentist Who Fraudulently Billed Insurance Companies Nearly $600,000

News: 2019 Press Release

For Release: June 10, 2019
Media Calls Only: 916-492-3566
Email Inquiries: cdipress@insurance.ca.gov

Criminal Charges for Dentist Who Fraudulently Billed Insurance Companies Nearly $600,000
Defendant Falsely Claimed She Performed 623 Root Canals on 75 Patients

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A Mira Mesa dentist, April Rose Ambrosio, 58, fraudulently billed multiple insurance companies $592,550 claiming she performed 623 root canals on 75 patients. Ambrosio, who was arraigned in San Diego Superior Court today on 75 counts of insurance fraud, billed eight insurance companies for nearly $600,000 and ultimately received more than $200,000.

Ambrosio's deception involved billing for more than 100 root canals over a three-month period for a family of four.

“This is a case of repeated and flagrant fraud by a medical professional,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said. “Unfortunately, when scam artists bill for dental services not rendered, they get rich at the expense of honest consumers who ultimately pay the price through higher premiums.”

The Department of Insurance spent two years investigating this case and worked closely with the District Attorney’s Insurance Fraud Division to bring Ambrosio to justice. Investigators say she was running the billing scam for three years.

“Medical providers are held to the highest standard and their patients trust them to be honest when it comes to their care,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “Ambrosio violated that trust when she fraudulently billed for services she never performed.”

If convicted of all charges, Ambrosio faces up to 83 years in prison. She will next be in court on September 5.



Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.

Google Translate