How Can an Attorney Help Defend My Indiana Medical License?

Indiana Professional License Defense Attorney Answers Frequently Asked Questions About Doctors, Nurses, and Pharmacists

Medical professionals put a great deal of effort and financial investment into building a successful career. In addition to obtaining the necessary education, they will also complete a variety of other requirements, including gaining practical experience through a residency or other methods and obtaining a professional license in the state where they will be providing care to patients. They will also need to meet continuing education requirements to ensure that they are well-versed in the current standards of care. Unfortunately, medical providers may encounter issues that may result in discipline to their medical licenses. In these situations, doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals will likely have questions about the steps they can take to defend their ability to practice. At The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc., we work to help these professionals defend against discipline to their medical licenses, and we can answer questions about the legal issues that may arise in these cases.

What Are the Most Common Reasons for Discipline to a Person's Medical License?

A state medical licensing board such as the Indiana Medical Licensing Board, the Indiana State Board of Nursing, or the Indiana Board of Pharmacy may investigate a medical professional based on complaints from patients or other indications that they have violated the standards of care. Some of the most common reasons why the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) may decide to take disciplinary action against a medical provider include:

• Substandard care - Medical malpractice claims against a provider may provide a basis for discipline, since these claims may indicate that a person has failed to provide the necessary care when treating patients. Client complaints or other issues related to the treatment a person has provided may also be seen as an indication that a provider has exhibited professional incompetence.
• Substance abuse - Addictions to drugs or alcohol may affect a person's ability to provide quality care to patients. In some cases, these issues may be raised if a person has been arrested or convicted of criminal offenses related to drugs or alcohol, such as drunk driving, drug possession, or drug diversion. Criminal convictions for offenses that may affect a person's ability to provide care to patients or actions that endangered public safety are also grounds for discipline.
• Inappropriate conduct - Medical providers may be accused of multiple different types of misconduct, including sexual harassment committed against patients, employees, or colleagues or inappropriate sexual relationships with patients. Unethical conduct, such as accepting kickbacks in return for patient referrals, may also be grounds for discipline.
• Prescription drug misuse - A provider's practices of prescribing or dispensing controlled substances may lead to an investigation by the DEA, and discipline to a person's controlled substance registration may also lead a licensing board to take disciplinary action.

A medical professional who is facing accusations that they have committed any of these violations or engaged in other activities that may result in discipline to their medical license can work with a lawyer to determine their options for defense. The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc. can help medical providers respond to investigations. We can provide representation in disciplinary hearings, helping a person explain the circumstances surrounding an alleged violation and advocating on their behalf to help them avoid discipline or minimize the penalties that may apply in their case.

How Will Discipline to My Medical License Affect Me?

If a licensing board chooses to suspend or revoke a person's medical license, they will be unable to provide treatment to patients until their license is reinstated. If a person is placed on probation, they may have certain restrictions on the types of treatment they will be able to provide, and they may also need to complete other requirements, such as obtaining additional education. In some cases, a person may be reprimanded, and while this will not affect their ability to provide treatment, it will be a public record of discipline that may damage their reputation and career opportunities.

Discipline to a medical license may also affect other aspects of a person's medical practice and career. In some cases, the DEA may choose to suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a person's controlled substance registration, which will affect their ability to prescribe or dispense certain types of drugs. Discipline to a medical license may lead Medicare or Medicaid to revoke a person's provider status, limiting their ability to provide treatment to patients who are covered by these programs. A specialty board may choose to revoke a person's board certification, which may affect their ability to find employment in the future. Discipline may also result in the loss of hospital privileges, limiting a person's ability to work in certain facilities.

To avoid these consequences, it is important for professionals to work with an attorney to determine how they can avoid discipline when possible or limit the ways that disciplinary action will affect them. At The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc., we can advocate on behalf of medical professionals in these cases to help them minimize the penalties they may face.

Contact Our Indiana Medical License Defense Lawyer

To get legal help with issues related to medical license discipline, contact us by calling 463-219-2612 and arrange your free consultation today.