Prescriber Checkup

8% of this provider’s 289 patients 65 and older filled at least one prescription for a potentially inappropriate drug, compared to an average of 10%.

More resources »

Opioids

17% of this provider’s 453 patients filled at least one prescription for an opioid, compared to an average of 13%.

More resources »

Brand Name Drugs

15% of this provider’s prescriptions were for brand-name drugs, compared to an average of 15%.

Prescription Price

$27 was the average price of a prescription from this provider, compared to $37 among peers.

Prescriptions per Patient

37 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

$276K

2012

$324K

2013

$368K

2014

$458K

2015

Number of Claims

9,198

2012

10,578

2013

13,082

2014

16,923

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.

					This Drug's Rank
Drug Name	Total Prescriptions Filled with Refills	Prescriptions to 65+	Patients Receiving this Drug	Category	For this Prescriber	For this Prescriber's Peers
SIMVASTATIN Treats high cholesterol and... + Treats high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Source: National Library of Medicine	1,188 prescriptions, 7% of all prescriptions	782 prescriptions.	201 patients, 44% of all patients		1	1
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	880 prescriptions, 5% of all prescriptions	576 prescriptions.	155 patients, 34% of all patients		2	4
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	871 prescriptions, 5% of all prescriptions	522 prescriptions.	179 patients, 40% of all patients		3	5
GABAPENTIN Treats certain types of sei... + Treats certain types of seizures. Source: National Library of Medicine	734 prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions	442 prescriptions.	124 patients, 27% of all patients		4	3
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	726 prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions	413 prescriptions.	112 patients, 25% of all patients		5	2
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	701 prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions	430 prescriptions.	108 patients, 24% of all patients		6	7
ALENDRONATE SODIUM Alendronate is used to trea... + Alendronate is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who have undergone menopause (''change of life,'' end of menstrual periods) and to treat osteoporosis in men. Source: National Library of Medicine	644 prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions	469 prescriptions.	104 patients, 23% of all patients		7	15
SYNTHROID Treats hypothyroidism. + Treats hypothyroidism. Source: National Library of Medicine	586 prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions	377 prescriptions.	86 patients, 19% of all patients		8	11
LOSARTAN-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE This drug is used to treat ... + This drug is used to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine	450 prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions	317 prescriptions.	66 patients, 15% of all patients		9	12
ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM Treats high cholesterol and... + Treats high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Source: National Library of Medicine	400 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	260 prescriptions.	72 patients, 16% of all patients		10	8
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	341 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	270 prescriptions.	66 patients, 15% of all patients		11	10
NABUMETONE Treats pain caused by arthr... + Treats pain caused by arthritis. Source: National Library of Medicine	332 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	190 prescriptions.	157 patients, 35% of all patients		12	27
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	300 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	211 prescriptions.	46 patients, 10% of all patients		13	6
CLONAZEPAM Treats seizures, panic diso... + Treats seizures, panic disorder, and anxiety. Source: National Library of Medicine	299 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	186 prescriptions.	71 patients, 16% of all patients		14	18
LANTUS Treats diabetes mellitus. I... + Treats diabetes mellitus. Source: National Library of Medicine	289 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	188 prescriptions.	41 patients, 9% of all patients		15	30
CARVEDILOL Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and congestive heart failure (CHF). Source: National Library of Medicine	286 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	166 prescriptions.	38 patients, 8% of all patients		16	32
METHYLPREDNISOLONE Treats asthma, allergic rea... + Treats asthma, allergic reactions, inflammation, flare-ups of ongoing illnesses, and many other medical problems. Source: National Library of Medicine	267 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	157 prescriptions.	156 patients, 34% of all patients		17	85
AZITHROMYCIN Treats infections caused by... + Treats infections caused by certain bacteria. Source: National Library of Medicine	261 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	148 prescriptions.	172 patients, 38% of all patients	A	18	37
CLOPIDOGREL Helps prevent stroke, heart... + Helps prevent stroke, heart attack, and other heart problems. Source: National Library of Medicine	234 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	191 prescriptions.	38 patients, 8% of all patients		19	21
FUROSEMIDE Treats fluid retention (ede... + Treats fluid retention (edema) and high blood pressure (hypertension). Source: National Library of Medicine	230 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	187 prescriptions.	43 patients, 9% of all patients		20	19
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	228 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	195 prescriptions.	51 patients, 11% of all patients		21	9
ATENOLOL Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and angina (chest pain). Source: National Library of Medicine	224 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	185 prescriptions.	31 patients, 7% of all patients		22	16
BACLOFEN Treats muscle spasms caused... + Treats muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury or disease. Source: National Library of Medicine	216 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	113 prescriptions.	122 patients, 27% of all patients		23	52
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	188 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	111 prescriptions.	35 patients, 8% of all patients		24	13
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	174 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	77 prescriptions.	87 patients, 19% of all patients		25	39
TRAMADOL HCL Tramadol is used to relieve... + Tramadol is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine	160 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	44 prescriptions.	54 patients, 12% of all patients	O	26	24
GEMFIBROZIL Lowers high triglyceride an... + Lowers high triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Source: National Library of Medicine	151 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	60 prescriptions.	31 patients, 7% of all patients		27	51
CIPROFLOXACIN HCL Ciprofloxacin is used to tr... + Ciprofloxacin is used to treat or prevent certain infections caused by bacteria. Source: National Library of Medicine	140 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	88 prescriptions.	108 patients, 24% of all patients	A	28	45
ISOSORBIDE MONONITRATE ER Isosorbide mononitrate is u... + Isosorbide mononitrate is used to prevent angina (chest pain) caused by coronary artery disease (heart disease). Source: National Library of Medicine	135 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	112 prescriptions.	20 patients, 4% of all patients		29	40
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	123 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	79 prescriptions.	18 patients, 4% of all patients		30	22
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	119 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	79 prescriptions.	24 patients, 5% of all patients		31	38
METOPROLOL SUCCINATE 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	118 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	63 prescriptions.	20 patients, 4% of all patients		32	33
ALPRAZOLAM Treats anxiety, panic disor... + Treats anxiety, panic disorder, insomnia (trouble sleeping), and anxiety caused by depression. Source: National Library of Medicine	117 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	37 prescriptions.	19 patients, 4% of all patients		33	28
GLIMEPIRIDE Treats type 2 diabetes. Use... + Treats type 2 diabetes. Source: National Library of Medicine	113 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	101 prescriptions.	19 patients, 4% of all patients		34	20
TEMAZEPAM Treats insomnia (trouble sl... + Treats insomnia (trouble sleeping). Source: National Library of Medicine	106 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	76 prescriptions.	26 patients, 6% of all patients		35	31
PROAIR HFA Treats or prevents bronchos... + Treats or prevents bronchospasm in patients with asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and other lung diseases. Source: National Library of Medicine	105 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	68 prescriptions.	35 patients, 8% of all patients		36	91
FLUTICASONE PROPIONATE Treats stuffy nose caused b... + Treats stuffy nose caused by hay fever and other allergies. Source: National Library of Medicine	105 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	78 prescriptions.	63 patients, 14% of all patients		36	49
TERAZOSIN HCL Terazosin is used in men to... + Terazosin is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), which include difficulty urinating (hesitation, dribbling, weak stream, and incomplete bladder emptying), painful urination, and urinary frequency and urgency. Source: National Library of Medicine	104 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	64 prescriptions.	14 patients, 3% of all patients		38	144
SURE COMFORT*	95 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	64 prescriptions.	19 patients, 4% of all patients		39	107
MONTELUKAST SODIUM Montelukast is used to prev... + Montelukast is used to prevent wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and coughing caused by asthma. Source: National Library of Medicine	89 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	64 prescriptions.	25 patients, 6% of all patients		40	26
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	89 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	47 prescriptions.	22 patients, 5% of all patients		40	17
NAPROXEN Treats fever and pain, incl... + Treats fever and pain, including pain caused by arthritis, gout, menstrual cramps, tendinitis, headache, backache, and toothache. Source: National Library of Medicine	89 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	55 prescriptions.	42 patients, 9% of all patients		40	46
LISINOPRIL Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and heart failure. Source: National Library of Medicine	89 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	71 prescriptions.	15 patients, 3% of all patients		40	14
DOXAZOSIN MESYLATE Doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura... + Doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura XL) is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), which include difficulty urinating (hesitation, dribbling, weak stream, and incomplete bladder emptying), painful urination, and urinary frequency and urgency. Source: National Library of Medicine	86 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	74 prescriptions.	11 patients, 2% of all patients		44	42
ALLOPURINOL Treats gout and some kinds ... + Treats gout and some kinds of kidney stones. Source: National Library of Medicine	83 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	39 prescriptions.	16 patients, 4% of all patients		45	78
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	82 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	59 prescriptions.	37 patients, 8% of all patients		46	23
HYDRALAZINE HCL Hydralazine is used to trea... + Hydralazine is used to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine	82 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	77 prescriptions.	17 patients, 4% of all patients		46	124
OXYCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN Used to relieve moderate to... + Used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine	80 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	5 prescriptions.	18 patients, 4% of all patients	O	48	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	79 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	63 prescriptions.	21 patients, 5% of all patients		49	48
LISINOPRIL-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE Treats high blood pressure.... + Treats high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine	77 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	52 prescriptions.	<11		50	79
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	72 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	12 prescriptions.	23 patients, 5% of all patients	R	51	81
LATANOPROST Latanoprost ophthalmic is u... + Latanoprost ophthalmic is used to treat glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision) and ocular hypertension (a condition which causes increased pressure in the eye). Source: National Library of Medicine	71 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	39 prescriptions.	14 patients, 3% of all patients		52	76
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	69 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	5 prescriptions.	11 patients, 2% of all patients		53	70
SURE COMFORT*	68 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	43 prescriptions.	15 patients, 3% of all patients		54	100
AMOXICILLIN-CLAVULANATE POTASS Treats infections. + Treats infections. Source: National Library of Medicine	66 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	28 prescriptions.	56 patients, 12% of all patients	A	55	87
TAMSULOSIN HCL Tamsulosin is used in men t... + Tamsulosin is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) which include difficulty urinating (hesitation, dribbling, weak stream, and incomplete bladder emptying), painful urination, and urinary frequency and urgency. Source: National Library of Medicine	64 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	47 prescriptions.	17 patients, 4% of all patients		56	29
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	59 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	28 prescriptions.	11 patients, 2% of all patients	P	57	58
HUMULIN N Treats diabetes mellitus. + Treats diabetes mellitus. Source: National Library of Medicine	54 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	49 prescriptions.	<11		58	57
FLUCONAZOLE Prevents and treats certain... + Prevents and treats certain fungus infections. Source: National Library of Medicine	53 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	26 prescriptions.	37 patients, 8% of all patients		59	162
WARFARIN SODIUM Warfarin is used to prevent... + Warfarin is used to prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger in your blood and blood vessels. Source: National Library of Medicine	53 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	21 prescriptions.	<11		59	88
PREDNISONE Treats inflammation (swelli... + Treats inflammation (swelling), severe allergies, complications of chronic illnesses, and other medical problems. Source: National Library of Medicine	52 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	35 prescriptions.	14 patients, 3% of all patients		61	59

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?

If you are a provider and you believe your address is incorrect, check the listing you created on the National Provider Identifier registry. If you change your listing, send a note to [email protected] and we will update your information. If you have other questions about this data, send a note to [email protected].

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 Oct. 8, 2012.
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.

ProPublica

Prescriber Checkup

The Doctors and Drugs in Medicare Part D

Search for a Prescriber, City or Zip Code

JOSE MORALES M.D

Guayama | Puerto Rico | 00784

Incorrect Info?

Search this name in Dollars for Docs »

See this provider's services »

Antipsychotics

This provider prescribed antipsychotics to at least one but fewer than 11 patients who are 65 and older, so Medicare redacted the exact figure. Comparisons are not shown.

Antibiotics

Risky Drugs for Seniors

Opioids

Brand Name Drugs

Prescription Price

Prescriptions per Patient

Cost of Claims

Number of Claims

Search for a Drug

Click to Filter by Category

About This Data

Incorrect Info?

Caveats