After a year long analysis of Medicare records, the Wall Street Journal reported on March 29th , 2011 revealing a troubling pattern of multiple surgeries performed by Portland, Oregon based neurosurgeon V. James Makker, M.D.. The red flag was that Dr. Makker's rate of additional spinal fusion operations was 39 for every 100 procedures that he had performed in 2008 and 2009.
According to this report, Dr. Makker has been sued eight times in nine years of practice, compared to the average norm of one suit every two years for U.S. neurosurgeons. The disconcerting aspect of this report focuses on patient Ronald Johnson whom Dr. Makker has operated on six (6) times in less than two years. Mr. Johnson says that he felt progressively worse after each procedure, eventually notifying Dr. Makker that he was done with having surgery.
What seems to be concerning is that upon being notified, Dr. Makker took a second look at Mr. Johnson's x-rays and was quoted as saying "actually, you're going to be alright, adding that Dr. Makker had been looking at the films wrong."
Based on TSB's findings, the only public records in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for the County of Mutilnomah relate to the case of Dawn D. Johnson and Shane E. Johnson v. V. James Makker, M.D., Frank J. McKowne, M.D., and Northwest Permanente, P.C., an Oregon corporation. The plaintiffs were/are seeking a jury trial for damages claimed for $ 2,382,935,77. Yet, based on the names, this seems to be an entirely different case involving surgeries that were performed on the incorrect level of thoracic spine by the defendant. You know what TSB says, "one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch girl."
Couldn't happen to a better guy. When his colleuge booted him out of practice for being a hack he moved on and proved it everywhere he has gone. Works out of an ASC now, yeah, you guessed it, part owner. I can't figure out why his infection rates were the highest at his last hospital. The only guy I would refer to this douche is Osama Bin Laden. In a shocking character study, he dumped his wife for a "OR Staff" member. Guy deserves to lose his liscence, along with an ass kicking.
ReplyDeleteAlso wrapped up in a Physician Owned Distributorship...go figure! They've been marching all over Portland looking for money hungry suckers to take the bait. Guess who was the first to jump on board. I hope this is the end of the road for these schmucks!
ReplyDeleteWhat does it say about medical schools, residency programs, and fellowships that the system fails to police itself and prohibit unskilled surgeons from operating? The next time I hear surgeons making fun is a sales reps clinical knowledge I'll remember to mention VJ Makker
ReplyDeleteFollow the trail. What spine company is Dr. Makker affiliated?
ReplyDeletePrimum non nocere.
ReplyDeleteOmega POD and Alphatec for the spine equipment. Guy's a dick.
ReplyDeleteRumor is POD is selling Alphatec to themselves.
ReplyDeleteWell said 11:15, but I have seen money and ego go far before the the cutting blade. Though Makker is hopefully on the far side of the curve how many push further? The Surgeons do NOT police their field.
ReplyDeleteOmerta the surgeons code of honor
ReplyDelete@ 11:20. I'm not sure I understand your post.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Alphatec sells to more PODs than any other manufacturer in the industry.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame. Read again Rick Deyo's work, and understand that this guy is the tip of the iceberg. How many people get fusions when they need decompressions? Need NOTHING? How many get 360 degree fusions when they need just PLF? Nothing? How many become repeat customers b/c of adjacent segment disease aka iatrogenesis imperfecta? The whole field needs fewer participants, lots and lots and lots of sham surgeries out there....Not many get caught, b/c these procedures are relatively simple to perform.
ReplyDelete3:50 Great points. As Healthcare & Insurance companies continue to tighten the reigns in these areas, companies like Baxano will help lead the way w/ leading edge technologies that help reduce the # of fusions being performed on patients when they aren't necessary.
ReplyDelete4:22
ReplyDeleteLolololololololoL @Baxano Technique = Surgeon Error
Interventional Spine whats the word good and bad.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite embarrassing for Alphatec if they have to go through POD's for sales. A public company and doing $100m plus in sales and they have to stoop to that low. Goes to show what kind of character their leadership is in this industry, a disgrace.
ReplyDeleteBefore the bashing starts can anyone confirm that Dr. Makker was part of a POD using Alphatec products? If so they are going to have a lot of egg on their face. I have never seen a company that large destroy themselves from the inside out......amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhere is ATEC doing POD's? State or region?...
ReplyDeleteConfirmed. Alphatec POD for just his business. "Girlfriend" as his "rep".
ReplyDeleteWill the fact that he was in a POD using Alphacrap ever hit the paper or the lawsuit? This could take dow the POD model if the WSJ gets a hold of the news.
ReplyDeleteSure would be nice if somehow that docs name and girlfriend fell in the laps of the WSJ journalist. Its quite apparent the DOJ and OIG arent going to do anything about it.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me that someone with direct knowledge of the POD and GF information should simply pass it along to the WSF reporter.
ReplyDeleteIf he really was using Alphatec, it might be a good time to sell your ATEC stock. This nutcase was probably 10% of their U.S. sales!
ReplyDeletebefore I even read the comments I joked 'must be using the alpha cervical plate...each ACDF is a repeat customer (aka backout)
ReplyDeleteAlphascum needs to be exposed for all dirty deals they are doing around the country. Their management team is a joke and obviously has no morals. I pray someone in the area with information alerts the WSJ so these dirtbags can be exposed.
ReplyDeleteIt is not illegal for Alphatec or any other manufacturer to sell to these models. It may hurt their reputation among the Einsteins in the blogosphere, but if they simply sell product to the POD at wholesale, they don't have to pay any commissions to the POD which may end up in the doctors pockets. This insulates them from prosecution. They are the only company doing it with a full line, and that is why most PODs end up with them. As I said in my other post, it isn't the company selling the products that are the criminals, it is the POD paying the docs. I hate them too, but at least I know who to hate.
ReplyDeleteWord on the street is that it only represents 5-7% of gross sales, out of $180M. So it may not be as wide spread as everyone would like to believe. That may be bad info, just what I heard, probably very few know the real number.
5:05. Just because it's not illegal doesn't make it right. They are turning a blind eye to unethical activity and are an active participant. What if your wife only cheated 5-7% of the time......it's not illegal unless she takes money.
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious that you work at Alphatec knowing percentages of POD sales. Sure they are only 5-7% but that number in increasing everyday. I assure you this will be exposed and even though it's not illegal your company will suffer for supporting this model.
7:19. I agree that it is giving them a black eye in the industry. But, if it isn't "right" for them to sell a product legally to the POD, then what does that say about the hospitals who buy from the POD, knowing the invoices they pay end up in the docs pocket. Remember, the doc is telling them what they have to buy, they have to buy it from him and the federal government and private insurance is paying the tab. Personally, I think that is far worse than the manufacturers selling wholesale to the POD. But I do agree that it smells bad for the companies and I'm sure it will effect them negatively to some degree. My point was to refocus the tarring and feathering to the rightful place, the docs and scam artists who sell these models to them. Those guys make more on the deal than the docs (60/40), have no financial risk and virtually no expenses. They do, however, have liability if the DOJ ever comes knocking.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Dr. Makker loved his deal with Stryker using Xia pedicle screws and Stryker PEEK Lumbar cages,
ReplyDeleteBased on the Julie Bailey v. Dr. Makker suit, seems that VJ loved to cut whether the patient needed surgery or not. I wonder what was the impetus for all these surgeries. Do I hear POD in the air, and what POD is he involved with?
ReplyDeleteJust an observation but if you look at the names of the ones who are getting busted for medicare fraud and having gray area deals.. The huge majority of the names are not.. Dr. Mike Jones. And my time in the industry has confirrmed this time and time again.. If I see a headline. Dr. Arrested for health care fraud.. the majority of the time it is some foreign born/educated doc. Just an observation.
ReplyDeletekarma will get this sharma
ReplyDeleteperhaps he should sell Slurpees at the new deli in New Delhi
ReplyDeleteForeign Born??? really?? Who would even bring that up but a ignorant bigot?
ReplyDeleteI feel much better post op.the recovery time is minimium. I can only be thankful for Gods guidence, as my proceedure, performed by dr.makker seems a complete success.
ReplyDeleteFolks,
ReplyDeleteHow many of you are knocking this Dr. based on the WSJ and this blog? My wife and I have had great outcomes after procedures Dr. Makker performed. Pre-op we couldn't do some basic things (like walk without extreme pain). Both of us are back to normal activity adn are pain-free.
Also, lay off the "from another land" stuff, based on a name. The man was born in Cleveland!!!
Agreed. He gave me my life back.
DeleteTo u bigots & cowards putting Dr. Makker down, I don't even have to meet you to know you are either mis-informed or just plain stupid. What does where someone is born have to do with surgical skills ? Also, what does his personal life have to do with it either ? Not to mention he was born in the US, Ohio I think, and the divorce was not his idea. I have had 9 surgeries, & 3 surgeons. The only one that helped me, Dr. Makker. He was the only one to be able to fix my cervical problems. I think my experience should trump your opinion. And to you that want to kick his ass. Why don't you bring it my way. Thanks to Dr. Makker, I would love to see you try. It makes me sick to hear bigots slander such a great surgeon, that actually cares about his patients, & has such a kind staff. Dr. Makker never pushed surgery & was always realistic about the benefits achieved. Where do you morons come from ? You obviously don't know Dr. Makker or what you are talking about. Thank-you Dr. Makker ! No one else will cut on me. NW
ReplyDeleteIf u have nothing better to do than waste your time blogging about a great doctor like Dr. Makker, maybe it'd because you don't have one. Anyone that would waste their time listening to simple, narrow minded bigots will listen to anything. Dr. Makker takes cases that other Doctors don't have the skills to perform. I know, I am one of those patients. It isn't that the other Doctor wasn't skilled, he was, & is. But he referred me to Dr. Makker. His words, " Dr Makker is much more qualified to do this operation." And beloved me, this doctor would know ! So befits you make an ass out of yourself, @ least get the facts straight. He may have some failed attempts to fix some people, but he takes the harder cases. And he has never, ever pushed surgery on me, nor painted a picture of un-realistic expectations. Some people are just not fixable. But @ least after making you aware of this he is willing to try. Because, unlike many, & I have met many, HE CARES ! If there is any chance to help reduce the pain you are in, he will try his best. And if he can't do it I don't believe anyone can. Focus on the good he's done. I guaranty you will then find out who he really is. Every patient of his I've talked to praise him ! He has changed my life enough that I enjoy it again.
ReplyDeleteView James Makker's professional profile on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is the world's largest business network, helping professionals like James Makker discover inside connections to recommended job candidates, industry experts, and business partners.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, he is also getting investigated not only by the Oregon Medical Board, but the FBI for insurance fraud. He overbills the insurance companies, knowing the insurance companies will only pay a percentage, then he has the insurance company send the check to the patient and then asks the patient to sign the back of say, a $36,000 check, and put it in the mail to his Cornell Surgery Center in Beaverton, OR; then they write off the rest at tax time (from their "overbilling." I wouldn't sign the check that Blue Cross sent me and put it in the mail. Who is that dumb? However, I had to pay them the money out of my own account. Damn him and his fraudulant activities. I sure hope Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Oregon drops him immediately as obviously he is a fraud. I will be speaking with them immediately.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who had success from him, did you know that those successes didn't come until after the Oregon Medical Board required him to have another neurosergion present in the consultation with you??? It was part of his disciplinary action from the Board, so he couldn't "accidentally" look at the wrong X-ray or "accidentally" fuse when he should have decompressed, etc, etc, etc... So you all who actually got benefit from Makkers's surgeries were extremely lucky, I'd say.
Why don't you idiots quit blogging about a bunch of bullshit. Dr Makker is a great surgeon. What surgeon can give back to a patient 100 percent of their neck and back when it has already been injured and is degenerative in the first place. This man helped me with 3 surgeries. My neck is better than it was but will never be 100 percent. To the last Anon writer that says his surgeries weren't a success until after review of the Oregon Medical Board is wrong. DR MAKKER, IF YOU STILL IN BUSINESS, I WOULD COME SEE YOU AGAIN. And to those idiots, that like to play on his girlfriend, WHAT STONE HAVEN'T YOU THROWN. AND YOU BET YA, HE WAS USED BY OTHER SURGEONS THAT DID NOT WANT TO TAKE CERTAIN INSURANCES. DIANNA KOSER.
ReplyDeleteDIANNA AND THE OTHERS WHO THINK THIS GUY IS SO WONDERFUL, GET A CLUE? FIRST,I REALIZE THAT DISSING HIS NEW GIRLFRIEND IS A LITTLE OFF THE SUBJECT. WHAT IT SHOWS IS THAT, NOT ONLY DOES HE HAVE NO ETHICS, BUT ALSO NO MORALS? HISTORICALLY PEOPLE LOOKED UP TO THE DOCTORS AND LAWYERS OF THE WORLD. UNFORTUNATELY, LAW HAS FALLEN OFF THE CHARTS, MAINLY DUE TO DIVORCE SCUM,BOTTOM,FEEDING HACKS, THAT CLAIM TO BE LAWYERS. (ANOTHER TIME ON THEM) JUST AS UNFORTUNATE ARE THE GOOD DOCTORS, WHICH THANKFULLY FAR OUTWEIGH THE BUTCHERS LIKE MAKKER!
ReplyDeleteAT LAST WORD I THOUGHT THAT THIS CLOWN WAS IN THE TANNING BUSINESS? PRETTY SURE I KNOW THE CHAIN OF "MED SPAS" HE IS DEALING WITH. SO NO FREE PRESS FOR THEM. IF THE OREGON BOARD DOESN'T THROW THIS GUY OUT OF THE MEDICAL FIELD FOR HIS GROSS MISCONDUCT WITHIN HIS SPECIALTY, PERHAPS THEY SHOULD CHECK OUT HIS "MED SPA/TANNING" BUSINESS?
SO, TO HIS FANS OUT THERE, AGAIN GET A CLUE. THE GUY IS A SURGEON, THE LAST THING HE NEEDS IS TO WORRY ABOUT TANNING! LEAST NOT FORGET THAT ONCE YOU ARE IN THE DR. CLUB, YOU ARE PRETTY SET. THIS GUY IS NOT BEING JUDGED BY US, HE IS BEING JUDGED BY PEERS AND HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS THAT HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF SURGERIES THAT GO WITHOUT A GLITCH. THEY TAKE CARE OF AND COVER THEIR OWN.
LASTLY, MAKKER IS THE DOING OF HIS OWN GREED. HAS ANYONE CHECKED THE GOING RATE FOR A SURGEON OF HIS CLASS? ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH YEARLY THEY MAKE? I AM IN THE INDUSTRY AND I KNOW, SOME WOULD BE IN SHOCK, WHILE OTHERS MIGHT DISAGREE. YES MALPRACTICE INSURANCE IS OUT OF CONTROL, HMMM WONDER WHY? MAYBEE THE BOARD SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT SOME MORE HIGHLY SUED SURGEONS. WHY THE HECK DO YOU NEED TO OWN A TANNING SALON? WOULDN'T YOUR TIME BE BETTER SPENT ON CONTINUING TO LEARN YOUR TRADE? PERHAPS EVEN SO MUCH AS TO BETTER THE CHANCES OF ONE OF YOUR PATIENTS QUALITY OF LIFE?
THE GOOD NEWS IS KARMA IS A BITCH AND THE WORLD IS ROUND. MY DADDY USED TO TELL ME "PIGS GET SLAUGHTERD" IN THE STOCK AND INVESTMENT WORLDS.
BUT WE SHOULD NOT FORGET THAT THIS GUY HAS A MOTHER, FATHER AND FAMILY. FROM WHAT I SEE, HE IS YOUNG AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIX HIS WAYS. CHASING TAIL, BOOZING (NO EVIDENCE)AND ACTING STUPID SHOULD BE LEFT FOR IDIOTS LIKE ME WITH JUST MASTERS DEGREES!
TO HIS GIRLFRIEND AND TO THE DR. HE/SHE CHEATED ON SIGNIFICANT OTHERS TO BE WITH YOU, HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.
TO THE POOR UNSUSPECTING PATIENT WITH MULTIPLE SURGERIES. I WILL SAY A PRAYOR FOR YOU AND BE SURE TO KNOW THAT YOU DID NOTHING WRONG. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRUST DOCTORS IF NOONE ELSE.
MAKKER NEEDS TO RELOOK THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH AND PERHAPS THE AMA CODE OF ETHICS, WHICH I AM SURE HE SIGNED.
I AM NOT A REAL RELIGIOUS TYPE, BUT I AM NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES, I WANT TO GO TO A BETTER PLACE WHEN ITS ALL THROUGH. WHEN IN DOUBT DO THE RIGHT THING, NOT THE ONE THAT MAKES YOU MORE MONEY.
ANYONE ELSE CLAIMING HIS GREATNESS. YOU ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE NOT DONE YOUR HOMEWORK OR PERHAPS JUST SHILL'S. NOONE IS CLAIMING THAT HES CHOSEN FIELD IS NOT AMAZINGLY DIFFICULT. BUT, IT IS ALSO NOT A PART TIME JOB.
I have had the misfortune of undergoing four separate spine surgeries by three different Docs. All of them were supposed to be good Docs & highly thought of. The last Doc to cut on me was Dr. Makker. Prior to meeting with Dr. Makker, I'd had several ortho & neuro surgeons inform me that the problems that I was experiencing could not possibly be due to the hardware in my back failing. I had also been told by one jerk that claims to be a doctor, that my pain/problems did not exist & were all in my head. By the time that I had my first appointment with Dr. Makker, I had lost hope for the most part & was in a very dark state of mind. I was becoming convinced that I would never improve & be able to enjoy life again.
ReplyDeleteThen I was pleasantly surprised to meet with a Doc who actually listened to what I had to say & to respond like he believed me. I explained how my most recent symptoms had started after having a reinforcing clamp installed & that I felt like it had either broken or had become loose. This is the point where the previous Docs had informed me that it was not possible for this piece of hardware to fail. Fortunately for me, Dr. Makker made the arrangements to remove this clamp. I don't recall much about the day of the surgery other than it was snowing. We arrived at approximately 6:30AM & I was home around noon to 1:00PM. I do recall awakening from my surgery & immediately feeling an improvement. It turns out that the reinforcing clamp had indeed become loose. It had several razor sharp teeth that were supposed to be imbedded completely into the bone & stay solidly in place. Instead, those teeth were chewing into my vertebra every time that I moved. I still suffer from chronic back pain, but at least it is now manageable for the most part with medication. I truly believe that Dr. Makker gave me my life back.
I am sorry to hear that not everyone has experienced the same level of relief or better, than I have. I don’t think there is anything much more debilitating than back pain. The average person can not begin to understand how much a spinal injury impacts your life.
I sure hope that Dr. Makker is able to clear his name & be able to help other back pain sufferers regain as much of their life as possible.
John M.
I had a previous cervical fusion. Several local docs said I wouldn't be better off & refused to operate. He was the 3rd I contacted. He said I would experience significant if not total improvement. I was billed repeatedly for stuff I already paid, couldn't get any of my records or even a follow up, post op, so I have no idea if I'm stable. The last thing I heard is that the fusion didn't take. I am in miserable pain. Now I read all this? It's been 2 years now & I'm afraid. I wasn't given any of the info I needed nor can I get it. Now this guy is out of business?? What is one to do? I'm almost bed ridden & I've lost all my money & my pcp won't let me work. They say my spine is not stable but I can't afford an MRI. I was a lot better prior to the surgery. Now it locks, grinds & clicks. I also have cognition issues & developed bad sleep apnea & I am fit.
ReplyDeleteSucks to be me. Still thankful for God, sight & breath.
Dr. Makker operated on my spine and neck a total of 5 times. Once around 2005, 3 times in 2009 and ( 1 time in 2010 to correct severely injuring a nerve in my spine that was caused by the last operation in 2009).He never admitted causing this, but I was desperate for help. The last surgery corrected the severe nerve pain, but I never thought it was fair that my insurance co. had to pay for it and of course the suffering on my part was terrible. We need statistics on other people like me, who were not medicare patients. Dr. Makker actually told me several times that his physicians asst. did many of my surgeries. I believe this pa was one of the people who told on the doctor, since HIS name was never mentioned in any newspaper article or in any legal documents that I've seen . I won't mention this pa's name. A former patient
DeleteDarlene Makker is a Dominatrix and in control bitch. She is very controlling and a hot blond.
ReplyDelete