What types of punishment do publicly disciplined providers receive?
The Board is authorized to mete out a wide range of public disciplinary actions that limit, suspend or even revoke the right to practice. A medical license is revoked only in the most serious cases where the provider’s conduct or level of competence is considered to pose a significant threat to public health and safety. Far more often, the Board acts to restrict the license by imposing conditions aimed at preventing future problems. For example, a physician disciplined for prescribing narcotic painkillers without adequately documenting the need or taking steps to prevent addiction might be barred from prescribing such drugs for a set period and required to complete continuing medical education on managing chronic pain. In some cases, the Board determines no action against the provider’s license is warranted but issues a public letter of concern. All final disciplinary actions are noted on the Board’s Web site.
