Prescriber Checkup
The Doctors and Drugs in Medicare Part D
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POLLY RUIZ SANTIAGO MD
At A Glance: This Prescriber in 2015
Self-Reported Primary Specialty
Rank: 45 out of 1539
Rank: 263 out of 1539
How Does This Prescriber Compare to Peers?
In the same specialty and state. Caveats »
this specialty
in Puerto Rico lower than average
Antipsychotics
24% of this provider’s 119 patients who are 65 and older filled at least one prescription for an antipsychotic drug, compared to an average of 4%.
Antibiotics
25% of this provider’s 532 patients filled at least one prescription for an antibiotic drug, compared to an average of 37%.
Risky Drugs for Seniors
21% of this provider’s 119 patients 65 and older filled at least one prescription for a potentially inappropriate drug, compared to an average of 10%.
Opioids
16% of this provider’s 532 patients filled at least one prescription for an opioid, compared to an average of 13%.
Brand Name Drugs
8% of this provider’s prescriptions were for brand-name drugs, compared to an average of 15%.
Prescription Price
$18 was the average price of a prescription from this provider, compared to $37 among peers.
Prescriptions per Patient
34 is the average number of prescriptions (including refills) per patient, compared to an average of 19.
How This Provider’s Patients Compare
Doctors often say their patients are sicker or more complex than those of their peers. The measure displayed below, used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, takes into account patients’ characteristics to estimate whether they are expected to have above-average Medicare spending. It considers patients’ age, sex, diagnoses from the past year and other factors. This provider’s score below takes into account all patients.
This Provider's History
A comparison of this provider’s prescribing in Part D since 2012. All years may not be shown if there is insufficient data.
Cost of Claims
$127K
2012
$185K
2013
$264K
2014
$324K
2015
Number of Claims
5,687
2012
10,416
2013
14,688
2014
17,839
2015
This Prescriber's Drugs
The table below list this provider’s drugs, the number of prescriptions and how many went to seniors. Drugs are ranked by volume and compared with the rank for all providers in the same specialty and state. The list below includes only those drugs for which this provider wrote 50 or more prescriptions.
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An opioid drug. More » Prescription opioids (painkillers) can help alleviate certain kinds of pain in the short term but carry serious health risks.
An antibiotic drug. More » Used to treat bacterial infections but are often prescribed incorrectly to treat viral infections, such as chest colds or the flu.
An antipsychotic drug. More » Antipsychotics are frequently given to dementia patients, though it increases their risk of death.
A risky drug for seniors. More » The American Geriatrics Society has said this drug is "potentially dangerous" for seniors and might be inappropriate.
This provider is among the top 10 prescribers of this drug in the country.
This provider’s prescriptions for this drug were for more days than those of peers. More » Because of this, his or her prescription count may be lower.
This provider’s prescriptions for this drug were for fewer days than those of peers. More » Because of this, his or her prescription count may be higher.
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This Drug's Rank
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Name | Total Prescriptions Filled with Refills |
Prescriptions to 65+ |
Patients Receiving this Drug | Category | For this Prescriber | For this Prescriber's Peers |
|
FLUOXETINE HCL
Fluoxetine is used to treat... + Fluoxetine is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won't go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over), some eating disorders, and panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Source: National Library of Medicine |
1,596
prescriptions, 9% of all prescriptions |
212
prescriptions. |
203
patients, 38% of all patients |
1 | 66 | |
|
CLONAZEPAM
Treats seizures, panic diso... + Treats seizures, panic disorder, and anxiety. Source: National Library of Medicine |
1,386
prescriptions, 8% of all prescriptions |
194
prescriptions. |
192
patients, 36% of all patients |
2 | 18 | |
|
TEMAZEPAM
Treats insomnia (trouble sl... + Treats insomnia (trouble sleeping). Source: National Library of Medicine |
936
prescriptions, 5% of all prescriptions |
182
prescriptions. |
158
patients, 30% of all patients |
3 | 31 | |
|
RANITIDINE HCL
Ranitidine is used to treat... + Ranitidine is used to treat ulcers; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and injury of the food pipe (esophagus); and conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Source: National Library of Medicine |
835
prescriptions, 5% of all prescriptions |
131
prescriptions. |
126
patients, 24% of all patients |
4 | 4 | |
|
SERTRALINE HCL
Sertraline is used to treat... + Sertraline is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won't go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over), panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks), posttraumatic stress disorder (disturbing psychological symptoms that develop after a frightening experience), and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life). Source: National Library of Medicine |
651
prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions |
145
prescriptions. |
104
patients, 20% of all patients |
5 | 38 | |
|
OMEPRAZOLE
Treats heartburn, stomach u... + Treats heartburn, stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and conditions that cause your stomach to make too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, endocrine tumors, and systemic mastocytosis. Source: National Library of Medicine |
588
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
129
prescriptions. |
91
patients, 17% of all patients |
6 | 5 | |
|
ZOLPIDEM TARTRATE
Zolpidem is used to treat i... + Zolpidem is used to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep). Source: National Library of Medicine |
580
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
11
prescriptions. |
93
patients, 17% of all patients |
R | 7 | 81 |
|
SIMVASTATIN
Treats high cholesterol and... + Treats high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Source: National Library of Medicine |
554
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
165
prescriptions. |
91
patients, 17% of all patients |
8 | 1 | |
|
LORAZEPAM
Treats anxiety, anxiety wit... + Treats anxiety, anxiety with depression, and insomnia (trouble sleeping). Source: National Library of Medicine |
455
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
70
prescriptions. |
72
patients, 14% of all patients |
9 | 50 | |
|
AMITRIPTYLINE HCL
Amitriptyline is used to tr... + Amitriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
453
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
13
prescriptions. |
68
patients, 13% of all patients |
R | 10 | 134 |
|
TRAZODONE HCL
Trazodone is used to treat ... + Trazodone is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
439
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
79
prescriptions. |
68
patients, 13% of all patients |
11 | 74 | |
|
GABAPENTIN
Treats certain types of sei... + Treats certain types of seizures. Source: National Library of Medicine |
411
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
77
prescriptions. |
73
patients, 14% of all patients |
12 | 3 | |
|
RISPERIDONE
Treats schizophrenia and ce... + Treats schizophrenia and certain problems caused by bipolar disorder. Source: National Library of Medicine |
401
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
81
prescriptions. |
55
patients, 10% of all patients |
P | 13 | 72 |
|
PAROXETINE HCL
Paroxetine tablets, suspens... + Paroxetine tablets, suspension (liquid), and extended-release (long-acting) tablets are used to treat depression, panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks), and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life). Source: National Library of Medicine |
386
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
51
prescriptions. |
57
patients, 11% of all patients |
14 | 70 | |
|
DICLOFENAC POTASSIUM
Diclofenac is a nonsteroida... + Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat mild-to-moderate pain, and helps to relieve symptoms of arthritis (eg, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
382
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
60
prescriptions. |
90
patients, 17% of all patients |
15 | 23 | |
|
LOSARTAN-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
This drug is used to treat ... + This drug is used to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
371
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
48
prescriptions. |
49
patients, 9% of all patients |
16 | 12 | |
|
METFORMIN HCL
Metformin is used alone or ... + Metformin is used alone or with other medications, including insulin, to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Source: National Library of Medicine |
364
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
81
prescriptions. |
45
patients, 8% of all patients |
17 | 2 | |
|
ENALAPRIL MALEATE
Enalapril is used alone or ... + Enalapril is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
359
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
56
prescriptions. |
51
patients, 10% of all patients |
18 | 6 | |
|
CHLORPROMAZINE HCL
Chlorpromazine is used to t... + Chlorpromazine is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions) and other psychotic disorders (conditions that cause difficulty telling the difference between things or ideas that are real and things or ideas that are not real) and to treat the symptoms of mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood) in people who have bipolar disorder (manic depressive disorder; a condition that causes episodes of mania, episodes of depression, and other abnormal moods). Source: National Library of Medicine |
355
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
40
prescriptions. |
42
patients, 8% of all patients |
P | 19 | 207 |
|
DIVALPROEX SODIUM
Treats seizures (epilepsy).... + Treats seizures (epilepsy). Source: National Library of Medicine |
265
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
43
prescriptions. |
33
patients, 6% of all patients |
20 | 119 | |
|
HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
Used alone or together with... + Used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention (edema). Source: National Library of Medicine |
246
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
72
prescriptions. |
33
patients, 6% of all patients |
21 | 17 | |
|
QUETIAPINE FUMARATE
Quetiapine is used to treat... + Quetiapine is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions). Source: National Library of Medicine |
210
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
52
prescriptions. |
30
patients, 6% of all patients |
P | 22 | 58 |
|
BUPROPION HCL SR
Bupropion (Aplenzin, Wellbu... + Bupropion (Aplenzin, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL) is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
196
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
29
patients, 5% of all patients |
23 | 156 | |
|
ATENOLOL
Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and angina (chest pain). Source: National Library of Medicine |
193
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
41
prescriptions. |
28
patients, 5% of all patients |
24 | 16 | |
|
NABUMETONE
Treats pain caused by arthr... + Treats pain caused by arthritis. Source: National Library of Medicine |
192
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
25
prescriptions. |
47
patients, 9% of all patients |
25 | 27 | |
|
SYNTHROID
Treats hypothyroidism. + Treats hypothyroidism. Source: National Library of Medicine |
170
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
52
prescriptions. |
26
patients, 5% of all patients |
26 | 11 | |
|
FLUTICASONE PROPIONATE
Treats stuffy nose caused b... + Treats stuffy nose caused by hay fever and other allergies. Source: National Library of Medicine |
170
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
20
prescriptions. |
87
patients, 16% of all patients |
26 | 49 | |
|
BENZTROPINE MESYLATE
Treats symptoms of Parkinso... + Treats symptoms of Parkinson's disease or side effects of other drugs. Source: National Library of Medicine |
155
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
35
patients, 7% of all patients |
R | 28 | 205 |
|
NAPROXEN SODIUM
Naproxen is a nonsteroidal ... + Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve symptoms of arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or juvenile arthritis) such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
152
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
25
prescriptions. |
46
patients, 9% of all patients |
29 | 97 | |
|
DOXEPIN HCL
Doxepin is used to treat de... + Doxepin is used to treat depression and anxiety. Source: National Library of Medicine |
146
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
34
prescriptions. |
20
patients, 4% of all patients |
R | 30 | 176 |
|
LITHIUM CARBONATE
Lithium is used to treat an... + Lithium is used to treat and prevent episodes of mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood) in people with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods). Source: National Library of Medicine |
144
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
0
prescriptions. |
23
patients, 4% of all patients |
31 | 291 | |
|
TRAMADOL HCL
Tramadol is used to relieve... + Tramadol is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
116
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
23
prescriptions. |
61
patients, 11% of all patients |
O | 32 | 24 |
|
CLOTRIMAZOLE-BETAMETHASONE
This combination medication... + This combination medication is used to treat a variety of inflamed fungal skin infections such as ringworm, athlete's foot, and jock itch. Source: National Library of Medicine |
111
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
18
prescriptions. |
43
patients, 8% of all patients |
33 | 39 | |
|
METOPROLOL TARTRATE
Metoprolol is used alone or... + Metoprolol is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
107
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
27
prescriptions. |
16
patients, 3% of all patients |
34 | 22 | |
|
CITALOPRAM HBR
Citalopram is used to treat... + Citalopram is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
107
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
14
patients, 3% of all patients |
34 | 83 | |
|
HALOPERIDOL*
Treats symptoms of mental a... + Treats symptoms of mental and emotional disorders. Source: National Library of Medicine |
106
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
14
patients, 3% of all patients |
P | 36 | 161 |
|
AMLODIPINE BESYLATE
Amlodipine is used alone or... + Amlodipine is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina). Source: National Library of Medicine |
106
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
13
prescriptions. |
16
patients, 3% of all patients |
36 | 10 | |
|
LOSARTAN POTASSIUM
Losartan is used alone or i... + Losartan is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
105
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
13
prescriptions. |
18
patients, 3% of all patients |
38 | 7 | |
|
ALPRAZOLAM
Treats anxiety, panic disor... + Treats anxiety, panic disorder, insomnia (trouble sleeping), and anxiety caused by depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
100
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
16
prescriptions. |
14
patients, 3% of all patients |
39 | 28 | |
|
VENLAFAXINE HCL ER
Venlafaxine is used to trea... + Venlafaxine is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
96
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
14
patients, 3% of all patients |
40 | 211 | |
|
GEMFIBROZIL
Lowers high triglyceride an... + Lowers high triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Source: National Library of Medicine |
91
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
11
prescriptions. |
17
patients, 3% of all patients |
41 | 51 | |
|
AZITHROMYCIN
Treats infections caused by... + Treats infections caused by certain bacteria. Source: National Library of Medicine |
88
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
11
prescriptions. |
68
patients, 13% of all patients |
A | 42 | 37 |
|
CYCLOBENZAPRINE HCL
Cyclobenzaprine, a muscle r... + Cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant, is used with rest, physical therapy, and other measures to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries. Source: National Library of Medicine |
86
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
45
patients, 8% of all patients |
R | 43 | 150 |
|
LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM
Levothyroxine, a thyroid ho... + Levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone, is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Source: National Library of Medicine |
84
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
15
prescriptions. |
16
patients, 3% of all patients |
44 | 9 | |
|
GLIPIZIDE
Used with diet and exercise... + Used with diet and exercise to help control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. Source: National Library of Medicine |
82
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
22
prescriptions. |
11
patients, 2% of all patients |
45 | 13 | |
|
LISINOPRIL
Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and heart failure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
80
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
18
prescriptions. |
11
patients, 2% of all patients |
46 | 14 | |
|
LEVOCETIRIZINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE
Levocetirizine is an antihi... + Levocetirizine is an antihistamine used to relieve the symptoms of hay fever and hives of the skin. Source: National Library of Medicine |
70
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
28
prescriptions. |
20
patients, 4% of all patients |
47 | 90 | |
|
BUPROPION XL
Bupropion (Aplenzin, Wellbu... + Bupropion (Aplenzin, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL) is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
66
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
0
prescriptions. |
12
patients, 2% of all patients |
48 | 262 | |
|
CLOPIDOGREL
Helps prevent stroke, heart... + Helps prevent stroke, heart attack, and other heart problems. Source: National Library of Medicine |
64
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
38
prescriptions. |
<11 | 49 | 21 | |
|
DEXAMETHASONE
Treats inflammation and man... + Treats inflammation and many other medical problems. Source: National Library of Medicine |
59
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
44
patients, 8% of all patients |
50 | 55 | |
|
ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM
Treats high cholesterol and... + Treats high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Source: National Library of Medicine |
58
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
14
prescriptions. |
15
patients, 3% of all patients |
51 | 8 | |
|
OXYCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Used to relieve moderate to... + Used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
55
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
0
prescriptions. |
13
patients, 2% of all patients |
O | 52 | 56 |
|
MECLIZINE HCL
Meclizine is used to preven... + Meclizine is used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. Source: National Library of Medicine |
53
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
15
patients, 3% of all patients |
53 | 48 | |
|
CARVEDILOL
Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and congestive heart failure (CHF). Source: National Library of Medicine |
52
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
29
prescriptions. |
<11 | 54 | 32 | |
| ESTAZOLAM |
51
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
16
prescriptions. |
12
patients, 2% of all patients |
55 | 173 | |
About This Data
Prescribing data from Medicare’s prescription drug benefit, known as Part D, was compiled and released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency that oversees the program. The data for 2015 includes more than 1.4 billion prescriptions written by nearly 1.4 million doctors, nurses and other providers. This database lists about 447,000 of those providers who wrote 50 or more prescriptions for at least one drug that year. More than three-fourths of these prescriptions went to patients 65 and older; the rest were for disabled patients. Methodology »
Incorrect Info?
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Caveats
- No comparisons are shown if there are fewer than 20 prescribers in the state share this specialty.
- Comparisons do not take into account the medical conditions of patients. Medications for certain conditions do not have generic alternatives, so patients would receive more expensive brand name drugs.
- This provider's address and specialty information was last updated on April 11, 2016.
- Comparisons are based on each provider’s current address, not necessarily where he or she worked during the time period covered in this database.
- In rare circumstances, providers' prescription tallies may be inflated. Sometimes providers are credited with prescriptions written by colleagues (this happens in long-term care facilities) or are victims of fraud involving theft of their provider number.