When the Board decides to take public action, it is placed on the licensees profile as well as on the website on monthly Board orders. This doctor or practitioner would enter into a public board order (a consent agreement) that is legally binding on them. If a complaint is closed with a public action, such information may be provided. Suspended License or Certificate: If a doctor or other health care provider's license has been suspended, the doctor or other health care provider has been ordered by the Medical Board to temporarily cease the practice of medicine in Georgia until given permission to do so by the Medical Board. How do I find out if my doctor has ever been sued for malpractice? About The Georgia Composite Medical Board . The Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) has a County Medical Society listing on their web page. This page contains information for contacting the appropriate entity to provide a medical licensing board, hospital, managed care organization, or credentialing agency with a physician's licensing exam history. The Securities Division of the Office of the Secretary of State is charged with the implementation and enforcement of the Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008. Serious complaints, criminal violations, public safety threats, and similar situations are referred directly for formal investigations by the Boards agents. Evidence Collection Kit Ordering Information. . Mistakes in billing can happen and there may be an error in your bill. Complaints are given serious consideration by the board, and further investigative action may be taken, if appropriate. 6th Floor An official website of the State of Georgia. Find licensed professionals and facilities by name, license number, or location. The terms and conditions of probation vary and it is necessary to read the Board's order to know what they entail. About The Georgia Composite Medical Board, Frequently Asked Questions About The Board, Frequently Asked Questions about Complaints, Nurse Protocol Agreements Reviewed by the Board, Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), Continuing Education and Other Required Training for Physicians, Resources on Physician Sexual Misconduct, Professional Boundaries, Trauma, and Implicit Bias, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, GCMB updates mental health question on licensure applications, DEA announces elimination of DATA-Waiver Program, Board adds professional boundaries training question to license renewal application, Obtain Verification or Certification of My License, View Approved & Terminated APRN Protocols, Request a Certified Copy of a Board Order, Access online complaint form and instructions, Submit a new, reinstatement, or renewal application, Update personal information or practice location information. Please complete the forms giving a brief but detailed statement of the facts in chronological order. endstream endobj 1585 0 obj <. Nelson Mullins - Gold Dome Report - Legislative Day 26 Judicial review actions superior court if the physician does not prevail, 3. Who can inject botulinum toxin and soft tissue fillers in Georgia? Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. If your doctor does not address your concerns, seek medical care from another physician. The following data elements on the Board's website should be considered as primary source verification: License number. A Doctor of Osteopathy is a physician who has been trained at an Osteopathic Medical School. Dr. Atkinson joined the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in 2008 as an associate medical examiner. COMPLAINTS: What complaints DO NOT fall within the Board's jurisdiction? What you need to know about medical board complaints Please enter search criteria below to start your search. How do I obtain a copy of my medical records under these circumstances? If the board receives a complaint that substantiates unlicensed practice or the aiding and abetting of unlicensed practice, the board may in some cases proceed to a hearing for a Cease and Desist Order or refer the matter for criminal prosecution in the jurisdiction where the unlawful act took place. As with any request being made of a large institution, you should allow six to eight weeks for delivery. Notices are not provided in those cases where doing so would jeopardize the Boards investigation. Does Georgia differentiate in the type of license granted to a D.O. The Board contacts the licensee to obtain a response to the complaint. Is a physician required to have a nurse or someone else present when performing a gynecological examination on a patient? Georgia Composite Medical BoardEnforcement Unit2 Peachtree Street, N.W., 6th FloorAtlanta, Georgia 30303PH: (404) 657-6494 or (404) 656-1725FX: (404) 463-6333. hbbd```b``,Xdd 4] &OH'\H2^.@LlA@H 3 ' Choose and complete the appropriate online form and submit. Evidence Collection Kit Ordering Information. Individuals involved in the case are asked to provide statements. Private action is taken, such as a confidential letter of concern (LOC) to the licensee or a request that the licensee attend a private meeting to discuss their conduct with members of the Board. Get to know Georgia's Secretary of State. State of Georgia government websites and email systems use georgia.gov or ga.gov at the end of the address. The Georgia Secretary of State oversees voting, tracks annual corporate filings, grants professional licenses, and oversees the state's securities' market. However, you may call your local county or state medical society who may be able to refer you to a specialist. Electronic Copy of License | Georgia Composite Medical Board Verification - Login To serve the citizens of the State of Georgia, the public, and the justice system by investigating sudden, unexpected, or unexplained deaths throughout the state with integrity and credibility. Without fail, first and foremost, be an educated consumer. Most often, it simply takes one telephone call or a letter to clear up any disputed charges. The order is then docketed and posted. How do I obtain a copy of my hospital medical record? About The Georgia Composite Medical Board, Frequently Asked Questions About The Board, Frequently Asked Questions about Complaints, Nurse Protocol Agreements Reviewed by the Board, Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), Continuing Education and Other Required Training for Physicians, Resources on Physician Sexual Misconduct, Professional Boundaries, Trauma, and Implicit Bias, to File a Complaint by Mail? The physician also receives formal notice of the complaint as well as any record requests. For example, the Board may have required a doctor or other allied health care professional to obtain more training as a "condition of licensure" in the State of Georgia. Date the Georgia license was first issued. Can my physician terminate my care or discontinue seeing me? The licensee is monitored periodically by the Board to assure compliance with the terms and conditions established in the Board's order. How do I obtain a copy of my medical records from my physician or a hospital? Georgia law authorizes the Medical Board to handle certain specific types of complaints about doctors and regards these as strictly confidential. No, there is no statutory limit as to when you may file a complaint with the Medical Board. In general, examples of unprofessional conduct include, but are not limited to, physical abuse of a patient, inadequate record keeping, not recognizing or acting upon common symptoms, prescribing drugs in excessive amounts or without legitimate reason, personal impairment (mental or physical) that hinders safely practicing within the scope of one's license or certificate, performing duties beyond the scope of one's license or certificate and dishonesty. These forms are available for download on our web site. To review the Board's Complaint process and access the Online Form. When a complaint is received, the licensee is provided with a written notice that advises him or her of the existence of a complaint or other information forming the basis for the Boards investigation. The doctor or provider may not practice medicine in Georgia. TheGeorgia Composite Medical Board(GCMB) is the licensing agency forphysicians, physician assistants, respiratory care professionals, perfusionists, acupuncturists, orthotists, prosthetists, auricular (ear) detoxification specialists, residency training permits, cosmetic laser practitioners, pain management clinics and medical geneticist. Once the investigative process is completed, you will be notified. All Georgia public records are available for inspection and copying unless they are specifically exempted from disclosure under the law. Does this mean the Georgia Medical Board considers my doctor a "bad" doctor? HIPAA* may apply. It has a staff of 31. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this request, I may be reached at (daytime telephone number) or Mr/s. Call the Executor for assistance. Attn. (b) A local medical examiner shall be a licensed physician appointed by the state medical examiner to perform scene investigations, external examinations, limited dissections, autopsies, or any combination of such duties. Doctors licensed in Georgia have a published physician profile that includes medical education, training and board certification. This is a basic principle in the American judicial process. According to Board Rule 360-3-.02(12), it is unprofessional conduct for a physician to conduct such an examination of a patient of the opposite sex without a chaperone present. You may add as many additional sheets as necessary to detail your circumstances. Please explain to us, if possible, why you believe the treatment you received was either a violation of the Medical Practice Act, considered by you to be unprofessional conduct, or the treatment you received was below standards. Check the Georgia Medical Board web site to verify a current mailing address or call (404) 656-3913 for assistance. She continues to be affiliated with Emory University as an Adjunct Assistant Professor, providing instruction and training to Emory medical students and residents as a Forensic Pathology course director. If you do not know the information, you can, Your name, address, telephone number, and email address, The name and address of the person or facility being reported and, if applicable, their license number. Below is a sample note of what you should say in writing to request the record(s): Please send a copy of my medical record(s) to my new physician, Dr (First Name) (Last Name). Check with the local Chamber of Commerce, county medical society or Police Department - they may be familiar with the doctor's practice and may be able to refer you to the office manager, a former employee or someone else who is knowledgeable about the doctor's situation. So, generally speaking, there is nothing the Medical Board can do about a rude doctor. Z|E]@a,M/bdXF1}#\rrEbw~i6t6K~.p1:k%cK 3/LXlxYJrBIb.O9U+HqN{:,tHVLCUT@@a&bT@H o!BF,"Lw(^qOO@s6)"FH0p@W ce9D@ m< Also, citizens who believe the quality of care they receive is substandard or that a physician or other allied health care professional has engaged in unprofessional conduct should contact the Medical Board. Investigations are confidential by law; we are unable to divulge receipt of or updates on the status of a complaint over the phone. If the complaint results in a public board order, the nature of the complaint may be determined from the "Findings of Fact" in the public board order and therefore becomes public information. Following that, she finished another fellowship, this one in forensic pathology, at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA in conjunction with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in 2002. The Georgia Composite Medical Board (Medical Board) in its effort to protect the integrity of the complaint process as well as the Georgia health care consumer, accepts complaints as provided on this web site in a downloadable format for filing by mail, or by filing online at the appropriate link shown below. What is a Public Board Order? We prefer you to use our forms: as the Waiver - Authorization to Release Information and to Use Complainant's Name Form is extremely important. State of Georgia government websites and email systems use "georgia.gov" or "ga.gov" at the end of the address . and local law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Georgia, the United States, and However, most cases that result in public action are resolved through negotiated settlements known as consent orders. To provide forensic science expertise to any agency or requestor to the fullest extent possible so as to foster public health, safety, and well-being by conducting death investigation in accordance with the law and professional standards. Some foreign (out-of-state) entities which do business in Georgia also must file with the Corporations Division. Please review any public documents carefully. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure youre on an official state website. During this time, Dr. Lehman also completed a fellowship at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Title 43. Secretary Brad Raffensperger and his staff are honored to serve the citizens of Georgia. No, investigative information is not public information. Please remember that if the Board does accept an anonymous complaint, there must be sufficient evidence, absent the identity of the complainant, for the Board to determine whether a sanction may be warranted. Call 1-800-GEORGIA to verify that a website is an official website of the State of Georgia. If a licensee refuses to sign an order the case may then go to a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Also shows any "public board orders", criminal offenses and disciplinary actions. For information about COVID-19 vaccine locations please click here. Subscribe to update notifications from the Securities Division, The Professional Licensing Boards Division of the Secretary of States Office, Learn about the Georgia Licensing Division, File a complaint regarding licensed or unlicensed individuals, Receive licensing updates and notifications. . My insurance company won't pay the bill, now the doctor is billing me! Dr. Reynolds was employed as an Associate Medical Examiner by Forensic Medical in Nashville, TN before joining the GBI in 2014. Inspection reports are public information. The Georgia Composite Medical Board is the agency that licenses physicians, physician assistants, respiratory care professionals, perfusionists, acupuncturists, orthotists, prosthetists, auricular (ear) detoxification specialists, genetic counselors, cosmetic laser practitioners and pain management clinics. An official website of the State of Georgia. Osteopathic manipulation is the movement of the bones and joints. All information and records obtained during the investigation of a case, including medical records, staff reports and investigative reports, are confidential and are not available to the public unless the matter proceeds to a formal hearing. Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia, Which Legal Entity is Right for Your Business, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, Elections and Voter Registration Calendars, Investor Education and Protection Resources, Registering and Notice Filing a Securities Offering, General Provisions and Joint Secretary Proposed Rules, Professional Counseling | Social Work | Marriage & Family Counseling, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Laboratory Analysts, Professional Licensing Board Rules and Regs, How A Loan Defaults Or Child Support Can Impact Your License, The Licensing Division of the Georgia Secretary of States Office. The most frequent types of consumer complaints are: According to the Medical Practice Act, unprofessional conduct includes "any departure from or failure to conform to the minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing medical practice and shall also include, but not be limited to the prescribing or use of drugs, treatment or diagnostic procedures which are detrimental to the patient as determined by the minimal standards of acceptable medical care.". In Georgia, the medical board is supported by the state's general fund, a scenario that pits it against other budget priorities. If a hearing is conducted, the complainant (you) may be called upon to testify, and your identity as a complainant may become known. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Geller was also employed by Emory University at Grady Hospital where she contributed to autopsy services and research. Macon, Georgia 31217-3858.