Buffalo, N.Y. — A Buffalo, N.Y., school board member is calling for an investigation into employee cosmetic surgery costs that have skyrocketed over the past five years, WKBW-TV Buffalo reports.
In 2009, school district employees spent nearly $9 million on elective cosmetic procedures, compared to less than $1 million in 2004. Records show the district covered the costs of Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA, Allergan) treatment, microdermabrasion, laser hair removal and chemical peels for 500 of the district’s 10,000 employees eligible for the free benefits.
Because the district is self-insured for its cosmetic surgery rider, tax dollars cover the entire cost directly, according to the Buffalo News. Board member Chris Jacobs said eight doctors performed the 8,000-plus procedures, and one provider raised his per-procedure costs nearly 80 percent in just one year, WKBW-TV reports.
Mr. Jacobs wrote a letter asking the superintendent, school board and city comptroller to investigate the possibility of fraud. He is calling for full reimbursement to the district if the investigation finds evidence of fraud.
