Subject Numbers Regarding Health Provider Authorizations

Authorization No. 247904-6B

July 1, 2015

Pursuant to Workers' Compensation Law Section 13-d(4), the Chair of the New York State Workers' Compensation Board has exercised his authority to temporarily suspend Dr. Alexios Apazidis’ authorizations to treat injured workers and to perform independent medical examinations in the New York State workers’ compensation system effective June 18, 2015. Dr. Apazidis’ last known business address is 808 Allerton Avenue, Bronx, New York 10467.

The Chair’s designee’s investigation revealed that the Department of Health, State Board for Professional Medical Conduct (BPMC) has issued BPMC Order # 15-146, wherein Dr. Apazidis agreed not to contest specifications of misconduct, including prescribing Ketamine gel without adequate indication, failure to adequately screen a patient for risks associated with prescribing a controlled substance, failure to maintain adequate records reflecting evaluation and treatment of a patient, writing numerous prescriptions for Ketamine gel using a compounding pharmacy, failure to use an official New York State prescription for prescribing pain medication, and inappropriately prescribing Oxycodone to a patient via telephone without actually evaluating the patient, resulting in the penalty of a thirty-six (36) month suspension, stayed with a thirty-six (36) month probationary period, during which Dr. Apazidis may practice medicine only when monitored by a licensed physician, board certified in an appropriate specialty (“Practice Monitor”), and is subject to a fifty thousand dollar ($50,000.00) fine, to be paid in five (5) installments.

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

Dr. Apapzidis is prohibited from rendering treatment and care to injured workers and from performing independent medical examinations while his authorizations are temporarily suspended. Reports submitted by Dr. Apazidis for services rendered prior to June 24, 2015, are valid, but are invalid for any services rendered on or after that date. Requests to cross-examine Dr. Apazidis for services rendered prior to June 24, 2015, should not be denied due to the suspension of his authorizations.

This suspension remains in effect until further notice. Any questions regarding the authorized lists should be referred to the Medical Director’s Office at 1 (800) 781-2362.