What are the Top Disciplinary Actions Taken by Medical Boards?
February 18, 2020
Physicians rely on their medical license to continue practicing. If a physician abuses their medical authority, they risk losing their license. In order to assess whether one is acting as they should, the Federation of State Medical Boards acts as the governing body. The FMSB is an organization that prides itself on looking out for a patient’s needs by regulating licensing and disciplinary action for medical professionals. Some of the reasons the FSMB takes disciplinary action includes:
- Gross negligence
- Conviction of a criminal offense
- Sexual assault
- Immorality
- Insurance fraud
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Malpractice
- Illegal drug prescription
License Limitations
Disciplinary action can affect a physician’s medical license status. Disciplinary action can lead to:
- Restricted medical license
- Suspended medical license
- Surrendered medical license
- Revoked medical license
When a physician faces a restricted medical license, they have limitations on their job duties. Oftentimes, this means a physician is unable to prescribe medication to their patients, however, this is not true in all cases. Under suspended medical license, a physician is no longer able to practice medicine until certain requirements are fulfilled. These requirements are often dependent on the case.
When a physician surrenders their medical license, it often occurs during an investigation into the individual. Physicians often cannot reinstate their license; however, they may be able to reapply. The ability to do so depends on the progress of the investigation into the physician’s suspected abuse or neglect.
Monetary Fines
A physician facing disciplinary action may face monetary fines for their actions. They may receive a fine from state boards or from insurance carriers, depending on the case. Some of the more minor disciplinary actions include:
- Reprimanding
- Conditions imposed
- Continuing medical education
- Probation
These are certain types of disciplinary actions that typically do not affect a physician’s medical license status. While a reprimand is often considered a formal warning, a probationary period might include the physician being monitored. They may also face some limitations, depending on the charges. Conditions imposed means that a physician under fire must fulfill certain duties in order to prevent future punishments. Similarly, continuing medical education (CME) allows the physician to make better judgement calls while practicing medicine in the future.
Philadelphia Physician Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Represent Physicians Facing Disciplinary Action
If you are a physician facing disciplinary or administrative action, contact a Philadelphia physician lawyer at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Losing one’s medical license influences their ability to work, reputation, and finances. Contact us online or call us at 215-569-1999 for a free consultation today. Located in Philadelphia, we proudly serve clients throughout Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, northeast Philadelphia, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Montgomery County.
