Common Mistakes Physicians Make that are Avoidable: How to Avoid an Administrative Complaint

In a medical practice, you are busy with your patients and rightfully so.  As a result, sometimes physicians forget about their obligations to their medical license and that can result in Administrative Complaints being filed against them.  Some of these mistakes are avoidable though.  For instance, do you know how many days you have to update your Practitioner Profile about a change in the information contained in the profile?

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) manages licensing of medical practitioners and provides an online portal for practitioners to update their information. To update your profile go to: https://mqa-vo.doh.state.fl.us/datamart/voservicesportal.

This is a summary that can help medical practitioners in Florida avoid Administrative Complaints and disciplinary actions:

1. Update your Practitioner Profile: Florida law requires that medical professionals submit updates to their profile within 15 days of any change. This includes information such as malpractice claims, criminal offenses, and disciplinary matters.
2. Keep your addresses current: Your mailing and practice locations must be kept up to date.
3. Report actions in other states and criminal convictions: Florida law requires medical professionals to report any disciplinary action taken against their license in another state or any criminal conviction within 30 days.
4. Report adverse events: Certain adverse incidents that result in harm or risk of injury to a patient must be reported to the DOH within 15 days.
5. Report changes in your Designated Physicians: When a Designated Physician begins or ends employment in a health care clinic or an office surgery facility, you must report the change in Designated Physician within 10 days.
6. Submit pain management clinic data: Quarterly data must be reported in a timely manner. Typically, the window to report data online is open for 30 days beyond the current reporting cycle.
7. Maintain your financial responsibility: Your financial responsibility status must be up to date and can be changed through your Practitioner Profile.
8. Ensure proper identification and signage: Practitioners and staff must properly identify themselves to patients, and appropriate signage must be displayed. If you prescribe opioids, you must provide the appropriate pamphlet to patients.

Stay informed about what is happening with your Board, including changes in law or rules, by joining their email list and visiting their website often at  https://flboardofmedicine.gov/ for medical doctors and https://floridasosteopathicmedicine.gov/ for osteopathic physicians.

Here at Howell, Buchan & Strong, the Florida medical license defense lawyers are here to help you.  Our Firm represents physicians with licensing and disciplinary matters in Florida, including reporting the events noted above, addressing background issues, reviewing contracts and representing physicians before their respective Board. You gain a trusted partner who understands the system, anticipates challenges, and advocates for your professional future.