January 21, 2004

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the dental license of Keith A. West, D.D.S., due to his felony conviction of Mail Fraud in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan.

On September 29, 2003, West pled guilty to using the United States Postal Service to submit fraudulent bills to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. West was sentenced to imprisonment for one year and one day and was fined $3,000. West was also ordered to provide restitution to Blue Cross Blue Shield in the amount of $360,000.

On January 12, 2004, pursuant to the Public Health Code, which provides for the mandatory summary suspension of a health professional upon the conviction of a felony, MDCH issued an Order of Summary Suspension. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of West’s license.

More information about disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards is available on the DCH website at: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch, then select the Health Systems and Licensing link.