MCNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. (WBBJ) – Dr. Barton Austin Chase III, of Ramer, Tennessee, has been placed on probation by the Tennessee Department of Health Board of Medical Examiners following allegations involving the prescribing of opioids and other controlled substances.
Chase practices medicine at the Ramer Family Health Center in McNairy County. He has been placed on probation for at least five years and is prohibited from prescribing controlled substances for at least three years. He is also prohibited from supervising mid-level providers for at least five years.
State investigators reviewed 23 patient records as part of the case. According to the disciplinary consent order, Chase prescribed hazardous amounts of narcotics, benzodiazepines and other controlled substances in combinations and durations that were not medically justified.
The state charged Chase with violating Tennessee Code Section 63-6-214, accusing him of prescribing controlled substances in violation of state and federal law.
Allegations against Chase
According to documents from the Board of Medical Examiners, Chase was accused of multiple violations, including over-prescribing controlled substances, “cloning” medical records and pre-writing prescriptions.
The allegations include:
Unprofessional, dishonorable or unethical conductGross negligence or a pattern of repeated healthcare liability, ignorance, negligence or incompetencePrescribing controlled substances in amounts or for durations that were not advisable or justifiablePrescribing controlled substances to a person addicted to said substance without making a bona fide effort to treat the addictionPrescribing controlled substances in violation of state or federal lawFailing to follow state guidelines for prescribing controlled substancesPrescribing without proper documentation of a patient’s history, physical examination, individualized treatment plan and discussion of treatment options
Regulators also charged Chase with violating board rules for cloning patient chart documentation, meaning he duplicated clinical notes from one visit to the next without recording unique findings. He also failed to consistently check the state’s controlled substance database to prevent patients from doctor shopping.
Penalties and next steps
Chase waived his right to a contested case hearing and agreed to a consent order. He was ordered to pay $8,000 in civil penalties and faces up to $25,000 in investigative costs.
Going forward, his clinic files must be independently reviewed every month.
If the restriction on prescribing medication is lifted, the disciplinary order requires Chase to complete at least two years of monitored practice and educational courses focused on medical documentation and the proper way to prescribe controlled substances.
WBBJ has not been able to reach Chase’s attorney, Stephen Hale, for comment on the penalties. The Department of Health declined to provide additional comment on the case.
To view the full disciplinary board order, click here.
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