What would you do?

ktwlpn, LPN · Aug 28, 2006

I saw a doctor today. I just looked him up on my state's licensing portal and he was not listed...to make sure, I called the state and found out he definitely does not have a license to practice in my state.
My question is: what should I do? Should I file a complaint against him for practicing medicine w/out a license or should I call his office and notify them of the problem?
Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.

Did you like the doctor? Were you planning on continuing to see him? If yes-I would call the office and tell them what you found and hear what their explanation is then I would follow up to see if his license gets posted on the site. Was there something about him that was a little "off" ? Is that why you looked up his license? If so-then I would report it to the state also ....Let us know what you find out.I don't think I have ever looked up an MD's license-never had reason to do so....

mabebu · Aug 28, 2006

Thanks for replying--nothing seemed off with him--I liked him and would go back though I don't have any reason to at this point. It's just a habit of mine to look up health practitioners to see where they went to school, how many years of experience, etc. I usually do it before I see them but was a little late this time...

suzanne4, RN · Aug 28, 2006

It is illegal to practice medicine without a license. And the physician needs one for each state that they are practicing in, the same way that a nurse does.

flashpoint · Aug 28, 2006

Does he maybe go by a middle name or a nickname instead of his given name? We used to have a doctor that everyone called J.B...his name was Martin Donald _______.

LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 28, 2006

I think you would be obligated to report this, now that you know. Whether it is an oversight or what, it shouldn't continue. If you report it and he really has a license, it just wasn't listed for whatever reason, it's not an issue. If he really is practicing without a license, he needs to stop.

mabebu · Aug 28, 2006

I have to submit the complaint in writing and they are mailing me the forms---I was just hesitant to do so thinking it was probably some sort of administrative oversight. But then again, this should be one item that gets taken care of without exception.

There was no other MD listed with his last name in the entire statee so it's definitely not a case of mistaken identity...

RNgirlie · Aug 28, 2006

you need to report him because he is simply breaking the law.

Jolie, BSN · Aug 28, 2006

Besides possibly practicing without a license, he may also be engaging in insurance fraud.

I would contact your insurance carrier and ask them to with-hold payment until you learn this "doctor's" true status.

Elisheva · Aug 29, 2006

He's putting everyone in his office at risk, not to mention his patients. I would call and ask his office for an explanation. If I didn't get a good one, I'd notify someone.

mabebu · Aug 30, 2006

I just called his office and asked for his license number. The woman who answered told me that they are not allowed to give out that information...

She didn't seem that concerned when I told her that I wasn't able to find him on the state website...and I confimed his name and spelling with her...

I'm definitely going to file a complaint.

TrudyRN · Aug 30, 2006

I have to submit the complaint in writing and they are mailing me the forms---I was just hesitant to do so thinking it was probably some sort of administrative oversight. But then again, this should be one item that gets taken care of without exception.
There was no other MD listed with his last name in the entire statee so it's definitely not a case of mistaken identity...

Do NOT notify his office. Won't the board act on your verbal report? Why must you be a stoolie in writing?