Subject Numbers Regarding Health Provider Authorizations

Authorization No. 144489-2W

January 30, 2019

Pursuant to Workers' Compensation Law Section 13-d(2)(a), the Chair of the New York State Workers' Compensation Board has exercised her authority to remove Dr. Joseph M. Pober’s authorization to treat injured workers in the New York State workers’ compensation system effective January 20, 2019. Dr. Pober's last known business address is:

975 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10028

Investigation has revealed that the New York State Department of Health, State Board for Professional Medical Conduct (BPMC) has issued Determination and Order # 19-003, wherein the Hearing Committee sustained the charges against Dr. Pober of practicing medicine fraudulently in violation of Educ. Law §6530(2), willfully making or filing a false report in violation of Educ. Law §6530(21), practicing the profession with negligence on more than one occasion in violation of Educ. Law §6530(3), practicing the profession with incompetence on more than one occasion in violation of Educ. Law §6530(5), and conduct in the practice of medicine which evidences moral unfitness to practice medicine in violation of Educ. Law §6530(20). This resulted in an 18-month suspension of Dr. Pober’s license to practice medicine in New York State, during which he must complete continuing education courses in the areas of coding, pain management, clinical documentation, and controlled substances.

Therefore, the Chair believes that Dr. Pober may be guilty of misconduct, and that such misconduct would detrimentally affect the quality of care provided to injured workers.

Dr. Pober is prohibited from rendering treatment and care to injured workers and from conducting reviews of records regarding variance requests pursuant to 12 NYCRR § 324.3(b)(2)(ii)(a). Reports submitted by Dr. Pober for services rendered prior to January 20, 2019, are valid, but are invalid for any services rendered on or after that date. Requests to cross-examine Dr. Pober for services rendered prior to January 20, 2019, should not be denied due to the removal of his authorization.

Any questions regarding the authorized lists should be referred to the Medical Director’s Office at 1 (800) 781-2362.