Doctor Background Check / Screen Doctor
Physician License Lookup
In reviewing a physician's information, it is important to know what is and is not available from the Medical Board of the State your Searching (Board) about physicians licensed by that state.
The law provides that the following information is public and would appear on a record under Public Disclosure if applicable to the physician:
- If a physician has been disciplined or formally accused of wrongdoing by the Board.
- If a physician's practice has been temporarily restricted or suspended pursuant to a court order.
- If a physician has been disciplined by a medical board of another state or federal government agency.
- If a physician has been convicted of a felony reported to the Board after January 3, 1991.
- If a physician has been convicted of a misdemeanor after January 1, 2007 that results in a disciplinary action or an accusation being filed by the Board, and the accusation is not subsequently withdrawn or dismissed.
- If a physician has been issued a citation for a minor violation of the law by the Board within the last five years. This is not considered disciplinary action.
- If a physician has been issued a public letter of reprimand at time of licensure. This is not considered disciplinary action.
Search background on any Doctor (MD) in USA.This includes background check on Plastic Surgeons, Dentists, Veterinarians and Chiropractors, Chiropractors. Dr. Backgounf Check is usually available by state.
Advanced Background Checks
Background Check Reports Generally provide following types of results: Doctor's Full Name, Current Address of the Practice, Doctor's Academic Background, Any Awards or Honors received by the Doctor, States where the Doctor is Licensed to Practice or ever held a License, Doctors Specialty and Doctors Certification, Year of National Board Certification, Doctors Professional Activity History, Residency Training including hospital name and dates, Any Medicare of Medicaid Sanctions against the Doctor, Any Actions against the Doctor taken by State Medical Disciplinary Boards, USA Nationwide Criminal records, Civil Court records Search, Bankruptcy Court Search, Real Property Search, Aliases used, Any Complaints
Dr. Complaint Information Information
The Medical Board is responsible for investigating complaints and disciplining physicians and other allied health professionals who violate the law. If a doctor or other Board licensee appears to have violated the laws that apply to the practice of medicine, Board staff will investigate and charges may be filed.
Quality of Care Complaints When you file a complaint involving medical care and treatment, the Medical Board will obtain copies of all your medical records pertaining to that treatment. If you have not completed the "Authorization for Release of Medical Records" on the back of the Consumer Complaint Form, the analyst handling your complaint will send you one to complete and sign. The release form must be completed and signed to avoid a delay in processing your complaint. When a completed release form is received, the analyst will request the needed records, as well as a written summary of the care from each of the treating medical providers. Once all records and summaries are received, the entire file will be forwarded to one of the Board's medical consultants for a thorough review. You will be notified by letter when this occurs. The medical consultant's evaluation will determine whether the complaint requires further review by one of the Board's investigative offices, or whether the Central Complaint Unit will close the complaint. If the review determines that the actions of the doctor were not below the acceptable standard of medical care, the Board has no authority to proceed, and the complaint will be closed. If the Board finds that the treatment fell below the standard of care but does not represent gross negligence, the complaint will be closed but will be maintained on file for the Board's future reference. If a complaint is referred to an investigative office and a violation is confirmed, the case may be submitted to the Office of the Attorney General for a formal charge that may lead to disciplinary action against the doctor's license. The Board cannot review matters that occurred more than seven years ago (with some limited exceptions) or 10 years ago on complaints alleging sexual misconduct.
HOW TO CHOOSE A DOCTOR (M.D.):
I need to find a new doctor. How can I make a good choice?
The Medical Board does not provide a referral service for consumers who need to choose a doctor. However, the following information may help you make a choice.
If you have health insurance, the first place to check is with your insurer or your employer's benefits office. Many insurance plans limit your choice to a list of doctors who agree to certain requirements. Many plans also require you to select a primary care physician (PCP) from their list. The PCP is then responsible for your care, and must make any necessary referrals to specialists or other health professionals.
If you are not limited to a list of doctors, most physicians are listed in the telephone yellow pages and, in larger communities, they are listed by specialty. For your main physician, you should consider a family physician or internal medicine specialist (internist); you also may want to choose an obstetrician/gynecologist if you are a woman, or a pediatrician for your children. All of these doctors are considered primary care practitioners, in that they can provide overall management of your health care. If you are elderly, and have conditions associated with aging, you may want to seek a specialist in geriatrics as your PCP. Regardless, be sure your insurance will cover the doctor's services before you incur any charges.
You may want to talk with friends or co-workers about physicians they like. If this is not feasible, most county medical societies will give you names of physicians in your area who are in the specialty you select. Look in the white pages for your county medical society or association.
Once you have some names, call the doctors and ask if they are accepting new patients. Be sure to ask whether they will accept your insurance plan (insurance plan lists often are outdated, as physicians are added or deleted from the plan).
Ideally, you should meet the physician and discuss your health concerns while you are well. This may be a good time to have a history and physical examination performed, but, again, make sure your insurance will cover it. Most plans will not cover an informal visit just to get acquainted.
Before you make an appointment, call the Medical Board or check on our Web site ("Check Your Doctor") to verify that the doctor has a current license.
Before You go to the Doctor
Before your initial visit to a new doctor, make a list of things you want to tell him or her about your health history. Many offices will ask you to fill out a form, and may want details about:
- surgeries you have had and when they occurred
- current conditions for which you are being treated
- prescription drugs you take (You may want to bring the bottles so you have correct information about strength and dosages.)
- name and address of your previous doctor(s)
- person to contact in an emergency
- your employer's address and phone number
- your insurance company and policy number (If you have an insurance I.D. card, be sure to bring it.)
- family medical history
A very important step is to make and take with you a list of questions you want answered. These may include:
- the doctor's specialty or special areas of practice
- who covers the doctor's patients when he or she is not available
- whether other physicians or non-physicians such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant will participate in your care, and whether this is optional
- special training the doctor may have in managing any medical conditions you have (such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc.)
- whether the doctor will provide care for others in your family
- to what hospitals he or she can admit patients
- if there are any restrictions on the doctor's hospital privileges
It is important that your doctor is able to admit you to a hospital if you need inpatient care. If he or she does not have admitting privileges, make sure you understand how hospitalizations will be handled.
After Your Initial Visit to the Doctor
You should feel that you were treated courteously, that all your questions were answered, and that you were not rushed or dismissed. Your relationship with a doctor is one of the most intimate in life; you should be able to trust him or her with the most private situations or problems, and should feel that your doctor is your ally. After the initial visit, if you are satisfied with what you experienced, great. If not, remember the choice is yours. Try another doctor. It is your health that is at stake.