Candidate wants to correct the record about his medical practice

To the Editor:

Recent false claims have resurfaced about an Office of Inspector General (OIG) report concerning my medical practice, Suncoast Dermatology and Skin Surgery Center. I want to take this opportunity to clarify the facts and correct the record.

Several years ago, my practice self-reported a compliance issue to the Office of the Inspector General after I discovered that a partner had engaged in improper billing practices. These actions, which involved upcoding and misclassifying certain lesion procedures, were uncovered through our own internal review, not through an outside investigation. As soon as I became aware of the misconduct, I terminated the employee responsible, conducted a full audit of the practice, and hired an outside law firm to assist in reporting the incident to the federal government.

The OIG’s public notice confirms that our practice self-disclosed the conduct, cooperated fully, and reached a civil settlement to resolve the matter. No criminal charges were filed, and the government did not allege that I personally falsified records or performed unnecessary procedures. The settlement reflected our proactive disclosure and willingness to correct the problem, not an admission of guilt or intentional wrongdoing on my part. Any other interpretation of these events portrayed to in someway cast aspersions on myself or my other partners is fallacious and I would consider the motives of the individuals behind them.

I have always operated my practice with integrity, transparency, and respect for the patients we serve. Anyone who wishes to review the full report, rather than excerpts circulated online, may request it directly from the federal government through a public records request.

Public service and professional ethics go hand in hand. I am proud that, when faced with an ethical dilemma, I chose accountability and swift corrective action. These are the same values I brought to my 8 years in the Florida House and will bring to my time in the Florida Senate.

Dr. Ralph Massullo, M.D.
Republican Candidate for Florida Senate