Michigan’s chief medical director for Medicaid has been was reprimanded and fined $3,000 in a settlement with the state medical board over accusations he violated state law when prescribing opioids.
According to the consent agreement with the Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, Dr. David Neff, DO, did not contest allegations that he failed to properly use MAPS, a automated monitoring system that keeps track of patients and the controlled substances they are prescribed.
Since June 1, 2018, in an effort to stem the opioid epidemic, doctors have been required by law to review MAPS reports before prescribing patients more than a three-day supply of a controlled substance, including opioids.
Charges that Neff over-prescribed opioids in his small private practice and was negligent and failed to meet the standards of proper care in his duty as a physician were dismissed, according to the consent agreement.
Neff remains on paid leave from his $194,184 a year job as medical director for Medicaid, pending an investigation by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
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He is continuing his private practice.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs filed a complaint against Neff in May 2019.
Neff has been a leader in the state’s response to the opioid epidemic. He is recipient of the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians and Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians 2018 Friend of Family Medicine Award for his work combating the opioid crisis
Contact Georgea Kovanis: gkovanis@freepress.com
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