Tag: Disciplinary Action

Collis Law Group, Disciplinary Action, License suspension, Medical Board, Medical practice in Ohio, Revocation, State Medical Board of Ohio, Uncategorized

The Differences Between Suspension, Permanent Revocation and Non-Permanent Revocation of a Medical License by the State Medical Board of Ohio

The State Medical Board of Ohio (“Medical Board”) is authorized to take disciplinary action against a licensee based on a violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 4731.22(B). Discipline can include, but is not limited to, suspension, permanent revocation and non-permanent revocation of a medical license.

A suspension results in the loss of the license to practice medicine for either an indefinite or a specified period of time.  The licensee may apply for reinstatement of the medical license following completion of all terms and conditions required by the Medical Board for reinstatement of the license.

A non-permanent revocation results in the loss of the license to practice medicine.  The licensee may re-apply for licensure.

A permanent revocation results in the loss of the license to practice medicine.  The licensee is forever barred from being licensed to practice medicine.

The Medical Board’s Disciplinary Guidelines provide maximum and minimum penalties for certain offenses: http://med.ohio.gov/Portals/0/Disciplinary%20Guidelines%20rev.%2006-13-2018.pdf?ver=2018-06-13-143928-823.  However, the Medical Board is not bound by the Disciplinary Guidelines and may impose any sanction authorized by law including, but not limited to, permanent revocation.

Although a licensee whose license to practice medicine has been non-permanently revoked may re-apply for licensure, a non-permanent revocation is viewed as a higher level of discipline than a suspension.  The Medical Board typically imposes non-permanent (and permanent) revocation for the most serious violations of its laws or rules.

The Medical Board meets the second Wednesday of each month and reviews all disciplinary matters in an open forum.  The Medical Board’s monthly Agenda can be found at the Medical Board’s website at: http://med.ohio.gov/The-Board/Board-Meetings-Minutes.

If you have any questions about this post or the State Medical Board of Ohio in general, please feel free to contact one of the attorneys at Collis Law Group LLC at (614) 486-3909 or email me at Beth@collislaw.com.

 

Confidential monitoring program, Disciplinary Action, Medical practice in Ohio, Notice of Opportunity for Hearing, State Medical Board of Ohio, Uncategorized

Ohio Medical Board Proposes Confidential Monitoring Program for Licensees With Mental or Physical Illness Other Than a Substance Use Disorder

The State Medical Board of Ohio (“Board”) has proposed rules for a new confidential monitoring program, which, if approved, is anticipated to be implemented later this year and the rules for which would be contained in OAC 4731-28, Mental or Physical Impairment.

The proposed program would be non-disciplinary and voluntary. The licensee’s participation in the proposed program would be governed by a written contract (called a participation agreement) between the licensee and the Board. The Board’s intent of the proposed program is to enable licensees, who would otherwise be subject to formal discipline, to avoid formal discipline for issues related to mental or physical illness.

Eligibility criteria for the proposed program includes, but is not limited to:

1) The Board may conduct any investigation necessary to evaluate the totality of circumstances, including requiring a physical or mental examination;

2) The individual must provide continuing authorization for the disclosure and release of information between the Board, the individual, and any other persons or entities involved in the evaluation, treatment or monitoring of the individual;

3) The individual must be willing to begin treatment or demonstrate that they have been significantly compliant with their established treatment plan;

4) Any individual that has been issued a Notice of Opportunity for Hearing that is pending is not eligible; and

5) There is no information indicating that allowing the individual to participate in the proposed program will create a substantial risk of potential harm to patients.

As proposed, OAC 4731-28-04 authorizes the Board to disqualify a participant from the proposed program for any alleged violation of their participation agreement, as determined by the sole discretion of the Secretary and Supervising Member, and shall constitute grounds for the Board to take a public disciplinary action against the licensee.
Finally, as proposed, OAC 4731-28-05 outlines the conditions that the participant must complete to have the participation agreement terminated.

The full draft of the proposed rules may be found at the Board’s website at: http://med.ohio.gov/Laws-Rules/Newly-Adopted-and-Proposed-Rules/Confidential-Monitoring-Program.

As always, if you have any questions about this blog or the State Medical Board of Ohio, please feel free to contact one of the attorneys at Collis Law Group LLC at (614) 486-3909 or email me at Beth@collislaw.com.