Federal investigators are looking into an exceedingly high rate of Lucentis prescriptions and procedures performed by Salomon Melgen, MD, the West Palm, Fla., ophthalmologist who is tied up in political scandal with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), according to a report by the Miami Herald.
Lucentis, a drug injected into patients' eyes to treat macular degeneration, costs $2,000 per vial, and sources say Dr. Melgen prescribed and performed more of these procedures than any other physician in Florida and perhaps the country, according to the report. That, along with high patient volumes and other claims, have raised CMS' suspicion for possible Medicare fraud. Dr. Melgen complied with an order to repay Medicare $8.9 million, but is appealing the decision, according to the report.
Dr. Melgen has gained notoriety in the last two weeks over scandals regarding his close relationships with Democratic politicians, including Sen. Menendez, who is under scrutiny for frequent trips to the Dominican Republic on Dr. Melgen's private jet.
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Lucentis, a drug injected into patients' eyes to treat macular degeneration, costs $2,000 per vial, and sources say Dr. Melgen prescribed and performed more of these procedures than any other physician in Florida and perhaps the country, according to the report. That, along with high patient volumes and other claims, have raised CMS' suspicion for possible Medicare fraud. Dr. Melgen complied with an order to repay Medicare $8.9 million, but is appealing the decision, according to the report.
Dr. Melgen has gained notoriety in the last two weeks over scandals regarding his close relationships with Democratic politicians, including Sen. Menendez, who is under scrutiny for frequent trips to the Dominican Republic on Dr. Melgen's private jet.
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