No physician ever begins their career expecting they could one day be the subject of discipline by the state board of medicine or, worse, have their medical license suspended or revoked. But the fact is, this is more common than you might think, and for a range of reasons. If you are a licensed physician in Idaho who is facing disciplinary actions from the Idaho Board of Medicine, it may feel like you're stuck in a bad dream. But now is the time to take action, ideally with the help of legal guidance, so you can put this behind you and move forward in your profession and your personal life.
When any professional finds themselves in a situation in which their license is in jeopardy, it can be quite serious. But few occupations share the level of responsibility that practicing medicine does. If your patients' safety and well-being are perceived to be at risk, this is not something the Idaho Board of Medicine takes lightly.
With that in mind, you don't have to resign yourself to believe that your career is over. There are actions you can take, such as bringing in help in the form of a legal advisor who can draw on a wealth of experience in this area to protect your rights, negotiate with the board, and work with both of you to find the best possible resolution in the event of a disciplinary proceeding.
The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team is a tried-and-true defense team that can evaluate your case, advise you of your options, and advocate for you to help you get the most favorable outcome possible. We represent physicians in areas with large patient numbers like the Boise-Nampa-Meridian Metropolitan Area (aka Treasure Valley) as well as in the wider Boise-Mountain Home-Ontario Area and other markets such as Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston, and others.
Call 888.535.3686 or go online now to retain the experienced legal counsel and best Professional License Defense Team in Idaho to improve your odds of getting successful results.
Idaho Board of Medicine License Discipline
The Idaho Board of Medicine can discipline a licensed physician, including interns and residents, on a variety of grounds, according to Statute 54-1814. While not an exhaustive list, examples include:
- Being convicted of or pleading guilty to a felony
- Using false diplomas, credentials, or name
- Performing an unlawful abortion
- Trading fees or gifts for referrals
- Being unable to obtain or renew a license in another state
- Perpetuating a patient's addiction to narcotic or hallucinogenic drugs without attempting to treat the root cause
- Not keeping medical records confidential
- Promoting the sale of unnecessary medical supplies or prescriptions
- Abandoning a patient
- Having a patient believe that their incurable disease or injury can be cured
- Failing to supervise the work of medical professionals who report to you
- Exploiting or abusing a patient
- Being found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
- Interfering with any investigations or proceedings by lying, threatening, or harassing
- Delegating professional responsibilities to someone unqualified
The Idaho Board of Medicine may also suspend, restrict, or revoke your license if you are unable to skillfully and safely care for patients as a result of a mental illness, a physical illness (including loss of motor skill), or excessive use or abuse of alcohol or other drugs, as outlined in statute 54-1832.
The board won't hesitate to discipline you if it finds you committed physician misconduct, and numerous physicians across the state have experienced considerable hardships after facing serious disciplinary actions. The Idaho Board of Medicine maintains an online license search where anyone can search for the license status of physicians throughout the state. The status of your license may be found here, as well as any disciplinary actions against you.
If you are a licensed physician practicing in In Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, or anywhere in Idaho, and face disciplinary action from the state Medical Board, retain the Lento Law Firm's top-tier Professional License Defense Team to help you strategize your defense.
Idaho Board of Medicine Rules and Standards
Each state regulates its own licensed professionals, and the Idaho Board of Medicine oversees licensed physicians in the state, investigating alleged offenses and prosecuting and resolving matters based on its own statutory authority following the regulatory standards and procedures it has adopted.
It is the duty of the board to serve notice to a licensed physician that their license may be under review. According to statute 54-1833, if there is cause to believe that a physician is unable to practice medicine skillfully and safely, it is incumbent upon the board to schedule a hearing.
As a licensee, you have already consented to undergo mental or physical evaluation if requested in writing by the board. Failure to comply now is considered grounds for the immediate suspension of your physician's license.
Hopefully, it doesn't come to that. But if you fear that it could, don't delay in reaching out to our Professional License Defense Team. Let our knowledge and experience with Idaho's physician standards and regulations work for you.
Confidence in Your Defense of Idaho Physician Charges
You got into medicine to help others and make a positive difference in others' lives. This can never be taken from you, but unfortunately, your license can be. This can feel demoralizing and scary. It's not uncommon to feel shaken up or insecure about your performance in your profession. Keep your head in the game and call on the Lento Law Firm, which can build a strategic defense or negotiate with the board to help uphold your reputation.
The Lento Law Firm's premier Professional License Defense Team can answer your questions, advise you of your rights and options, and help you address disciplinary charges head-on. It's important you do not ignore the allegations or default in answering the charges you face and contact The Lento Law Firm Team before doing so.
Valuing Your Idaho Physician's License
We recognize how important your professional license is to your livelihood, your loved ones, and your identity. Hiring a strong defense is a show of love – to your family, employer, patients, and others. The investment you've made is too great. If your career was worth the years of school, the late nights, the high cost of tuition, and the time away from activities and family, then it's worth defending with all you've got. Hang on to your investment and your future by retaining the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team today.
What Idaho Physician License Disciplinary Charges Mean
If you're facing disciplinary charges, you may wonder what this means. Did you do something wrong? Is it a foregone conclusion that you'll lose your license? Not necessarily.
That's because disciplinary charges are allegations of misconduct, not a formal finding that the allegations are supported. Your side of the story deserves to be told. This is your opportunity to furnish documentation that refutes the accusations against you. Retaining our Professional License Defense Attorney Team can help you identify and prioritize the best evidence to support your side.
Telling Your Perspective to Idaho Board of Medicine Officials
Although the Idaho Board of Medicine takes allegations of wrongdoing seriously and investigates and prosecutes physicians for violations, disciplinary officials also understand that doctors can be unfairly implicated or unjustly accused. Most physicians in Idaho are competent, compassionate, and caring professionals. Your perspective deserves to be heard, and you can rely on the Lento Law Firm's premier Professional License Defense Team to help you do just that.
Understanding Idaho Board of Medicine Charges
A licensing board administrative proceeding doesn't necessarily follow the trajectory of a civil or criminal case. Yes, as a physician, you could also face criminal charges, but licensing board disciplinary actions generally take place in an administrative forum.
The possible outcomes are, of course, much different as well. You could lose your physician license in a board administrative hearing, which we will fight to avoid, but your freedom is not at stake, and you aren't being sued for an amount of money.
What they do have in common is that defendants are provided with due process.
Idaho Board of Medicine Complaints
The disciplinary process for registered Idaho physicians begins when the state medical board receives a formal complaint. Anyone who feels a registered physician violated any rules of conduct or behaved in an unsafe or unprofessional manner may file a complaint with the board.
Complaints are written, signed, and acknowledged by the board. Complaints must include your name, a description of the actions that prompted the complaint, the time frame of the event, and the complainant's name and address.
In order to discipline you, there must be sufficient evidence that can be verified and presented to a committee created by the board. Note that while a committee is involved, the Board of Medicine is the final authority in matters of discipline. The committee makes recommendations to the board.
Usually, formal disciplinary action results when there is a provable pattern of unfavorable practice. In isolated errors of practice, corrective efforts such as education, treatment, mentors, or voluntary or involuntary limitations of practice may be initiated. These actions may or may not be public information. Public Board actions are available for review on the license verification portion of this website.
What Might My Discipline Proceeding Look Like?
If you are facing discipline by the Idaho Board of Medicine, again, the board will refer your case to a committee that has the authority to conduct professional disciplinary enforcement investigations. They will recommend appropriate action to the board about your case.
As mentioned earlier, you are entitled to due process, as specified in the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This means the board must notify you of the charges and offer you an opportunity to defend yourself in a hearing.
When you decide to work with The Lento Law Firm's highly qualified Professional License Defense Team, you have a strong ally. They may invoke the protected right you have to a fair and impartial investigatory and adjudicatory process and help you present the best defense.
Statute 54-1834 outlines what the proceedings will look like. You will be given at least 15 days' notice about when and where your hearing will take place. This could come in the mail or be delivered to you personally. You have the right to be represented by counsel at this hearing and to bring witnesses to support you.
After hearing testimony, the Idaho Board of Medicine issues a ruling. They may recommend that you submit to counseling or treatment, that your license be suspended or restricted, that your license be revoked, or they may dismiss your case.
If the ruling is not in your favor, you will have the opportunity to appeal the decision as long as you do so within 10 days of your license being suspended. This period of time goes by quickly, so having a fast-acting defense team preparing for your appeal while you deal with other timely matters is helpful.
Idaho Board of Medicine Stipulation Agreements
Occasionally the Idaho Board of Medicine may enter into a stipulated agreement in which the licensee admits to certain charges and agrees to submit to disciplinary actions. The benefit is that neither party needs to appear in court. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team can advise you if this is a recommended course of action.
Why It's Key to Have a Physician License Defense Attorney in Idaho
There are two key drivers to consider as you weigh your options in preparation for legal proceedings. For one, the Idaho Board of Medicine enjoys a deep pool of resources with which to investigate allegations. This is their full-time job, and they can and may be merciless, especially in cases involving physicians representing themselves. The saying “fight fire with fire” has relevance here. When they bring out their best, match that with yours – a skilled and experienced attorney defense team. That said, one of the reasons the Lento Law Firm Team is successful is our ability to work with licensing boards and negotiate with them when that is the appropriate approach.
Secondly, the Idaho Board of Medicine needs to only establish that it's likely you committed whatever it is you are being accused of (for example, a greater than 50% chance the allegations are true) rather than proving you did “beyond a reasonable doubt,” this is more nuanced and difficult to defend for someone who lacks experience in the preponderance of evidence standard.
How a License Defense Attorney Can Help Idaho Physicians
The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team brings several valuable assets to the table when your license is on the line. You are never alone; our team is with you offering clear, prudent counsel throughout this process. We stay in close communication with Idaho Board of Medicine officials on your behalf, supplying evidence and arguments with the goal of seeing your charges dismissed or discarded early. The right attorney should also help you gather evidence or relevant circumstances that could reduce the severity of any consequences, fully prepare you for any administrative hearings, and assist you with appealing or challenging the board's decision about your license.
Areas We Serve in Idaho
The Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm is available to represent you wherever you practice in Idaho, including the following areas:
- The Boise-Nampa-Meridian Metropolitan Area (aka Treasure Valley)
- Caldwell
- Twin Falls
- Idaho Falls
- Lewiston
We represent physicians who have practiced at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Kootenai Health, Mountain View Hospital, Portneuf Medical Center, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Centers, West Valley Medical Center, St. Luke's Medical Centers, or any medical facility in Idaho.
License Defense Team for Idaho Physician Charges
Whatever your area of specialty is as a licensed physician in Idaho, you can confront accusations that put your entire career on the line with confidence when you work with the Lento Law Firm. Do not underestimate Idaho's Board of Medicine or the lengths they can and will go to when there has been a complaint against a physician. It's in times like these that you need our experience on your side.
Like physicians and other licensed professionals across the country, you can trust the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team to have your back if you face disciplinary charges related to your license. Call 888.535.3686 or contact us online now.
