Prescriber Checkup
The Doctors and Drugs in Medicare Part D
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BURTON SACK MD
At A Glance: This Prescriber in 2015
Self-Reported Primary Specialty
Rank: 6 out of 166
Rank: 29 out of 166
How Does This Prescriber Compare to Peers?
In the same specialty and state. Caveats »
this specialty
in Massachusetts lower than average
Antipsychotics
0% of this provider’s 348 patients who are 65 and older filled at least one prescription for an antipsychotic drug, compared to an average of 0%.
Antibiotics
This provider prescribed antibiotics to at least one but fewer than 11 patients, so Medicare redacted the exact figure. Comparisons are not shown.
Risky Drugs for Seniors
11% of this provider’s 348 patients 65 and older filled at least one prescription for a potentially inappropriate drug, compared to an average of 7%.
Opioids
45% of this provider’s 510 patients filled at least one prescription for an opioid, compared to an average of 16%.
Brand Name Drugs
10% of this provider’s prescriptions were for brand-name drugs, compared to an average of 21%. This is far fewer than peers.
Prescription Price
$107 was the average price of a prescription from this provider, compared to $297 among peers.
Prescriptions per Patient
16 is the average number of prescriptions (including refills) per patient, compared to an average of 9.
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
$519K
2012
$585K
2013
$687K
2014
$891K
2015
Number of Claims
7,324
2012
8,447
2013
8,409
2014
8,352
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 |
|
PREDNISONE
Treats inflammation (swelli... + Treats inflammation (swelling), severe allergies, complications of chronic illnesses, and other medical problems. Source: National Library of Medicine |
609
prescriptions, 7% of all prescriptions |
435
prescriptions. |
154
patients, 30% of all patients |
1 | 1 | |
|
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Used to relieve moderate to... + Used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
570
prescriptions, 7% of all prescriptions |
210
prescriptions. |
90
patients, 18% of all patients |
O | 2 | 11 |
|
TRAMADOL HCL
Tramadol is used to relieve... + Tramadol is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
535
prescriptions, 6% of all prescriptions |
375
prescriptions. |
111
patients, 22% of all patients |
O | 3 | 5 |
|
METHOTREXATE
Treats several kinds of can... + Treats several kinds of cancer, including cancer of the blood, bone, lung, breast, head, or neck. Source: National Library of Medicine |
525
prescriptions, 6% of all prescriptions |
410
prescriptions. |
81
patients, 16% of all patients |
4 | 2 | |
|
MELOXICAM
Treats symptoms of osteoart... + Treats symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). Source: National Library of Medicine |
466
prescriptions, 6% of all prescriptions |
351
prescriptions. |
111
patients, 22% of all patients |
5 | 7 | |
|
CLONAZEPAM
Treats seizures, panic diso... + Treats seizures, panic disorder, and anxiety. Source: National Library of Medicine |
445
prescriptions, 5% of all prescriptions |
190
prescriptions. |
56
patients, 11% of all patients |
6 | 44 | |
|
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE SULFATE
Hydroxychloroquine is in a ... + Hydroxychloroquine is in a class of drugs called antimalarials. Source: National Library of Medicine |
426
prescriptions, 5% of all prescriptions |
325
prescriptions. |
82
patients, 16% of all patients |
7 | 3 | |
| LEUCOVORIN CALCIUM |
400
prescriptions, 5% of all prescriptions |
313
prescriptions. |
64
patients, 13% of all patients |
8 | 23 | |
|
GABAPENTIN
Treats certain types of sei... + Treats certain types of seizures. Source: National Library of Medicine |
354
prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions |
153
prescriptions. |
63
patients, 12% of all patients |
9 | 4 | |
|
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 |
347
prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions |
121
prescriptions. |
55
patients, 11% of all patients |
R | 10 | 18 |
|
LEFLUNOMIDE
Treats rheumatoid arthritis... + Treats rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Source: National Library of Medicine |
218
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
135
prescriptions. |
38
patients, 7% of all patients |
11 | 19 | |
|
NORTRIPTYLINE HCL
Nortriptyline is used to tr... + Nortriptyline is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
218
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
94
prescriptions. |
40
patients, 8% of all patients |
11 | 68 | |
|
NABUMETONE
Treats pain caused by arthr... + Treats pain caused by arthritis. Source: National Library of Medicine |
164
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
116
prescriptions. |
47
patients, 9% of all patients |
13 | 29 | |
| DIFLUNISAL |
148
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
118
prescriptions. |
37
patients, 7% of all patients |
10 | 14 | 61 |
|
CELECOXIB
Treats mild to moderate pai... + Treats mild to moderate pain and help relieve symptoms of arthritis (e. Source: National Library of Medicine |
144
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
114
prescriptions. |
34
patients, 7% of all patients |
15 | 15 | |
|
ALPRAZOLAM
Treats anxiety, panic disor... + Treats anxiety, panic disorder, insomnia (trouble sleeping), and anxiety caused by depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
137
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
76
prescriptions. |
16
patients, 3% of all patients |
16 | 48 | |
| OXAPROZIN |
106
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
48
prescriptions. |
25
patients, 5% of all patients |
17 | 95 | |
|
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 |
104
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
85
prescriptions. |
20
patients, 4% of all patients |
18 | 8 | |
|
IMIPRAMINE HCL
Imipramine tablets and caps... + Imipramine tablets and capsules are used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
104
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
53
prescriptions. |
14
patients, 3% of all patients |
R | 18 | 97 |
|
DOXEPIN HCL
Doxepin is used to treat de... + Doxepin is used to treat depression and anxiety. Source: National Library of Medicine |
99
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
36
prescriptions. |
15
patients, 3% of all patients |
R | 20 | 98 |
|
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 |
93
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
74
prescriptions. |
17
patients, 3% of all patients |
21 | 9 | |
|
AMITRIPTYLINE HCL
Amitriptyline is used to tr... + Amitriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
91
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
34
prescriptions. |
18
patients, 4% of all patients |
R | 22 | 35 |
|
SULFASALAZINE
Treats ulcerative colitis. ... + Treats ulcerative colitis. Source: National Library of Medicine |
87
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
68
prescriptions. |
17
patients, 3% of all patients |
23 | 55 | |
|
OXYCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Used to relieve moderate to... + Used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
80
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
46
prescriptions. |
22
patients, 4% of all patients |
O | 24 | 16 |
|
ACETAMINOPHEN-CODEINE
This combination of drugs i... + This combination of drugs is used to relieve mild to moderate pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
79
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
55
prescriptions. |
23
patients, 5% of all patients |
O | 25 | 52 |
|
LYRICA
Treats nerve and muscle pai... + Treats nerve and muscle pain caused by diabetes, shingles, fibromyalgia, or a spinal cord injury. Source: National Library of Medicine |
79
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
52
prescriptions. |
17
patients, 3% of all patients |
25 | 28 | |
|
AZATHIOPRINE
Prevents your body from rej... + Prevents your body from rejecting a kidney transplant. Source: National Library of Medicine |
78
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
53
prescriptions. |
14
patients, 3% of all patients |
27 | 56 | |
|
ROPINIROLE HCL
Ropinirole is used alone or... + Ropinirole is used alone or with other medications to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD; a disorder of the nervous system that causes difficulties with movement, muscle control, and balance), including shaking of parts of the body, stiffness, slowed movements, and problems with balance. Source: National Library of Medicine |
70
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
39
prescriptions. |
13
patients, 3% of all patients |
28 | 103 | |
|
TRAZODONE HCL
Trazodone is used to treat ... + Trazodone is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
69
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
27
prescriptions. |
<11 | 29 | 43 | |
|
TRAMADOL HCL-ACETAMINOPHEN
Treats short-term, medium t... + Treats short-term, medium to medium-severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
67
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
62
prescriptions. |
16
patients, 3% of all patients |
O | 30 | 106 |
|
ETODOLAC
Treats pain caused by arthr... + Treats pain caused by arthritis and other medical problems. Source: National Library of Medicine |
64
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
48
prescriptions. |
16
patients, 3% of all patients |
31 | 47 | |
|
DULOXETINE HCL
Duloxetine is used to treat... + Duloxetine is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; excessive worry and tension that disrupts daily life and lasts for 6 months or longer). Source: National Library of Medicine |
58
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
37
prescriptions. |
15
patients, 3% of all patients |
32 | 27 | |
|
VENLAFAXINE HCL ER
Venlafaxine is used to trea... + Venlafaxine is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
56
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
29
prescriptions. |
<11 | 33 | 82 | |
|
ALLOPURINOL
Treats gout and some kinds ... + Treats gout and some kinds of kidney stones. Source: National Library of Medicine |
54
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
34
prescriptions. |
<11 | 34 | 6 | |
|
ENBREL
Treats rheumatoid arthritis... + Treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis in adults. Source: National Library of Medicine |
52
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
38
prescriptions. |
<11 | 35 | 10 | |
|
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 |
51
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
28
prescriptions. |
14
patients, 3% of all patients |
36 | 34 | |
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 Dec. 19, 2011.
- 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.