What would you do?

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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.:nono:

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.

Oh, well, too late. You are brave.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, , Home health, Education.
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.

Great idea. I'm sure this Dr knows that he has to apply for the proper licensure before hanging up his shingle. Keep us posted and let us know the outcome.

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Trudy, I'm curious as to why you refer to her as a "stoolie"? You don't think the situation should be reported? Just curious.

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Specializes in Office Management.

I am just curious as to why the office would not give his license number. Isn't that required on a prescrition form when a doctor writes one up? Why are they saying they can't release it.

And I also agree with the previous poster who said to notify the insurance.:twocents:

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I did not identify myself when I called. Unfortunately, the state only investigates written complaints but I can also do that anonymously.

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Specializes in Emergency room, med/surg, UR/CSR.

They probably didn't give you his license number because of the possibility that someone could make up fake prescription pads with that name and number on it. Just a thought. I know it is on the script pad, but I can see why they might not give out his number over the phone.

Pam

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Ironically, when I went into the examining room, a prescription pad was sitting on the counter and I was left alone in there for 10-15 minutes--I thought about warning the doctor about this but forgot to when he came in and we started talking about my problem...

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Specializes in NA - 100 years ago.
Ironically, when I went into the examining room, a prescription pad was sitting on the counter and I was left alone in there for 10-15 minutes--I thought about warning the doctor about this but forgot to when he came in and we started talking about my problem...

Weird. Do "real" doctors leave their prescription pads laying around? This is a possibly very dangerous situation.

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Specializes in med-surg, BICU.

I think maybe the office could have given you his license number because sometimes private docs hang up their license certificate, degree, and other certificates to be visible to patients. My doc hangs his up in his office.

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Please file your complaint with the Board of Registration for

Medicine. Beyond being illegal, it is dangerous to practice without a

license. In Framingham Ma, a patient just died from a plastic surgery

procedure done by a "Doctor". Very sad outcome.

You are doing the right thing-helping to protect the public.

Good luck and keep us posted..........

for reference--

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/08/18/brazilian_charged_with_manslaughter_in_illegal_plastic_surgery/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Massachusetts+news

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Any update on this?

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Not really. I did call my insurance company and they too wouldn't give me his license number but assured me that if he is in their network that he is a licensed MD. I did get the form to file a complaint with the state and will be mailing it in soon. I keep checking the state database and he still isn't there....

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