Subject Numbers Regarding Health Provider Authorizations

Authorization No. 184765-6W

July 24, 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. Mehran Manouel's authorization to treat injured workers within the New York State workers' compensation system effective July 27, 2015. Dr. Manouel's last known business address is 76-55 Austin Street, Forest Hills, New York 11375.

The Chair's designee's investigation revealed that the New York State Department of Health, State Board for Professional Medical Conduct (BPMC) has issued Order # 15-139, wherein Dr. Manouel could not successfully defend against at least one of the acts of misconduct alleged, including negligent, incompetent, fraudulent treatment of motor vehicle accident victims, performing unnecessary surgery, inadequate pre-operative work-up, failure to pursue conservative modalities, failure to appropriately follow up after surgery, falsely billing for surgical procedures (possibly not performed at all), intent to deceive, and failure to maintain accurate records, resulting in the penalty of a $5,000.00 fine and a thirty-six (36) month probationary period, during which he may only practice medicine when monitored by a licensed physician, board certified in an appropriate specialty (“Practice Monitor”), and he must successfully complete continuing education courses in the areas of ethics, risk management and documentation.

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

Dr. Manouel is prohibited from rendering treatment and care to injured workers while his authorization is temporarily suspended. Reports submitted by Dr. Manouel for services rendered prior to July 27, 2015, are valid, but are invalid for any services rendered on or after that date. Requests to cross-examine Dr. Manouel for services rendered prior to July 27, 2015, should not be denied due to the suspension of his authorization.

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.