An Iowa surgeon was denied reenrollment as a licensed Medicare provider due to a series of felony convictions tied to tax evasion, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported June 28.
Edward Joseph Silvio Picardi, MD, served 38 months in federal prison for evading tax payments of more than $1 million before regaining his medical license in Iowa last year. Federal records obtained by the publication showed that Dr. Picardi applied to CMS last year for reenrollment as a licensed care provider in the Medicare system, but was denied.
Dr. Picardi issued an appeal to Administrative Law Judge Keith Sickendick, which was denied. Mr. Sickendick cited tax evasion as well as Dr. Picardi having felony charges within the last 10 years as his reasons for upholding the initial decision.
"I have no authority to substitute my judgement for that of the CMS hearing officer if the undisputed facts constitute a basis for denial of enrollment in Medicare, which they do," Mr. Sickendick said.