NCJ Number
91957
Date Published
1981
Length
373 pages
Annotation
To combat organized crime infiltration into closed-panel dental care programs in New Jersey, the State Commission of Investigation (SCI) urgently recommends that a comprehensive New Jersey State Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute be approved by the legislature and signed by the governor as soon as possible.
Abstract
Closed panel plans are those which an entity negotiates to provide dental services to a subscribing group's members at a specified clinic of dentists. In addition, the SCI proposes more than 12 recommended amendments to strengthen a New Jersey law requiring the State Insurance Commissioner to regulate dental plan organizations. The changes proposed by the SCI would require more adequate disclosure and closer inspection of financial transactions of dental plan organizations than is presently required by the statute. The changes would also address alliances by such organizations with consultants, finders, and other entities and individuals not covered by the law but which the SCI's probe revealed as frequent participants in rip-off schemes. Testimony and some data comprise most of the report.