Eugene Gosy, MD, a pain management physician at Williamsville, N.Y.-based Gosy & Associates was indicted in April, leaving the pain management center's fate hanging in the balance until one physician stepped in to keep the practice open, according to The Buffalo News.
Here are six things to know:
1. Dr. Gosy allegedly wrote illegal prescriptions and violated the states' workers' compensation system, leading to his indictment.
2. In the wake of the charges, James Hitt, MD, will assume his role as Gosy & Associates' medical director. He will supervise Dr. Gosy throughout the legal process.
3. Following the case, Dr. Hitt says there is a possibility their arrangement will be restructured. Three physicians filled in at Dr. Gosy's practice in May, but their roles were short term and ended Aug. 1.
4. In his new role, Dr. Hitt will first bring on new staff members including nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The practice will then work to bring in new patients and expand its services.
5. As the nation faces an opioid epidemic, Dr. Hitt advocates physicians treat patients with a variety of treatments. When prescribing opioids, he said patient selection is of the utmost importance.
6. Pain management is a priority amongst the community as many payers and community organizations have sponsored a training program for primary care physicians and other professionals to learn how to treat chronic pain patients. Dr. Hitt said, "It's the right time to do this, to be part of the changes and have a say in how we approach the use of opioids in the community. We may be able to help lead the way."
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