Don't Try to Face the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine Alone!

Are you a physician under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine on a disciplinary matter? Such investigations typically arise following a complaint, either from a patient, a patient’s family, a professional colleague, a hospital, an employer, or even a law enforcement agency. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being the subject of such an investigation, it is imperative you seek the advice of experienced, competent healthcare counsel as early in the proceedings as possible. The early stages can be crucial in determining how the matter will proceed, as well as its ultimate outcome.

Any discipline imposed upon you will have serious negative effects on your future career. In addition to any direct sanctions, such as a reprimand, license suspension, or license revocation, Federal law requires that adverse licensing actions must be reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank (“NPDB”). Furthermore, Federal law requires that a hospital must request information from the NPDB every time a physician applies for privileges or membership on the medical staff, and every two (2) years for each member of the medical staff or holder of hospital privileges. In addition, health care entities to which a physician applies for a job or seeks privileges, health plans, other state licensing boards, Federal agencies administering health care services, including private entities administering such programs, Federal law enforcement agencies, and others, may request information from the NPDB. This could result in loss of hospital privileges or staff membership, loss of employment, debarment from programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, expulsion from membership in health plans, and other adverse outcomes.

Counsel will make sure you obtain all available information regarding the charges against you, including details of the complaint, evidence in the form of documents and witnesses, including what any witnesses are expected to say, and all other pertinent discoverable material, in order to ensure your rights are protected to the fullest extent possible.

If you would like a consultation on this or any legal matter, do not hesitate to contact Scaringi Law at 717-657-7770.