In Episode 8 of the Di Pietro Partners Podcast, Kevin sits down with healthcare attorney David Di Pietro to discuss DEA investigations, prescribing compliance, and the growing scrutiny healthcare providers face when prescribing controlled substances.

David explains how DEA investigations often begin long before physicians believe they have done anything wrong. From prescribing patterns and pharmacy reports to audits, inventory discrepancies, and staff misconduct, this episode explores the real-world issues that can trigger DEA scrutiny and place both a medical license and DEA registration at risk.

The discussion also covers what typically happens when the DEA contacts a physician, how investigations can escalate from administrative matters into criminal exposure, and the compliance mistakes providers commonly make when dispensing or prescribing controlled substances.

Topics covered include:

• What triggers a DEA investigation
• High-risk prescribing patterns and red flags
• Surprise DEA visits, audits, and subpoenas
• How DEA investigations can become criminal matters
• Risks involving staff misuse of DEA credentials
• Pain management and controlled substance scrutiny
• Inventory and documentation requirements for dispensing physicians
• How DEA issues can affect medical licenses and hospital privileges
• Common compliance mistakes healthcare providers make
• Risk reduction strategies and proactive compliance measures
• How Di Pietro Partners helps physicians facing DEA investigations

This episode is essential listening for physicians, practice owners, pain management providers, and healthcare professionals who prescribe or dispense controlled substances and want to better understand DEA compliance and regulatory risk.