The State Board of Medicine is Not Your Friend.

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I want to piggyback on yesterday’s post by Dr. O’Rourke. This is one tip you have to remember:

Your State Board of Medicine does not represent you.  

They represent the public.  They are not your friend.  You pay them money every year for your license but in no way do they feel indebted to you.  Due to political pressures, these Boards have to penalize a certain amount of doctors every year in order to satisfy groups like Public Citizen.   Some of these doctors deserve it.  Many do not.  

The State Board of Medicine is actually your enemy.  

They have to listen to EVERY complaint by a patient, no matter how ridiculous it may be.   I was investigated once for not giving antibiotics for a virus, which did not please a patient.   It didn’t matter to the Board.  They will investigate EVERY complaint by a patient, or else they fear public retribution.  The only thing they do NOT fear are doctors and so they have no problem making an example out of as many as they can.  

HERE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!

  1. If you are ever investigated by your State Board then cooperate fully.
  2.  If they continue to pursue a complaint and ask you to come in for a hearing then you must pull out all the stops.   Even if they say that you do not need legal representation you still must get a lawyer.  Why? Because they are lying and are suckering you into coming to the hearing without legal help.   This was their plan all along (you will know this when the letter says you do not need a lawyer but can bring one if you like).   And then they will punish you.   It is a numbers game.  
  3. Lastly, find the best lawyer who has a history of irritating or intimidating the board and hire him or her.  Pay the money.  It will save so much heartache later on

(I have a much longer story proving all this but it is too much for this blog.)

About Douglas Farrago, MD

Dr. Farrago is a retired family physician based in Forest, Virginia. Since 2021, he has run DPCnews.com, a leading resource for the Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement. He is the author of three best-selling books on Direct Primary Care: The Official Guide to Starting Your Own Direct Primary Care Practice The Direct Primary Care Doctor’s Daily Motivational Journal Slowing the Churn in Direct Primary Care (While Also Keeping Your Sanity) In 2016, Dr. Farrago conceived the idea for the Direct Primary Care Alliance and co-founded the organization alongside other pioneering DPC physicians. He is widely recognized as a leading expert in the DPC model and frequently lectures to medical students, residents, and practicing physicians on how to successfully start and run their own DPC practices.Dr. Farrago sold his Direct Primary Care practice in October 2020 but continues to receive care there as a patient.