It is not an understatement to say that being a physician is a difficult profession. This is because even the slightest misstep may put a patient’s health at risk. What’s more, any minor mistake may be reported to the New York State Department of Health’s Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC). Continue reading to learn more about the OPMC and how one of the experienced OPMC/OPD misconduct defense lawyers at Walker Medical Law can protect you if an investigation is prompted.
What should I understand about the New York OPMC?
Simply put, the OPMC serves to investigate and adjudicate complaints made against practicing physicians, physician assistants, and specialist assistants in New York State. And such complaints may be filed by current or former patients, fellow licensed health professionals, or the health facility in which a physician is employed.
Of note, the OPMC receives thousands upon thousands of complaints each year. While they filter out the complaints that lack basis, they may take the time to look into the following misconduct claims:
- They may investigate a claim that a physician’s ability to practice is impaired due to alcohol or drug abuse.
- They may investigate a claim regarding a physician’s abandonment or neglect of a patient in their time of need.
- They may investigate a claim regarding a physician’s refusal to treat a patient due to their race, religion, sex, etc.
- They may investigate a claim regarding a physician’s failure to seek approval from a patient before operating on them.
- They may investigate a claim regarding a physician’s failure to keep a patient’s information confidential (i.e., a HIPAA violation).
- They may investigate a claim regarding a physician’s failure to save a patient’s medical records.
- They may investigate a claim regarding a physician’s physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse of a patient.
- They may investigate a claim that a physician is practicing with a suspended or inactive license.
What potential consequences am I facing after an OPMC investigation?
Once the OPMC investigates you, they may summon you to a hearing. This hearing may take place in front of the Board of Professional Medical Conduct, which is comprised of two physicians and one layperson. Upon deliberation, the board may place any or all of the following consequences against you:
- You may have your OPMC investigation accessible to the general public.
- You may have your medical license suspended or revoked indefinitely.
- You may have to pay hefty fines.
- You may have to serve time in jail.
For these reasons alone, you must not go through an OPMC investigation and hearing without the proper legal representation. So, the first step that you must take in your defense is to make a phone call. Without further ado, pick up the phone and contact one of the skilled OPMC/OPD misconduct defense lawyers from Walker Medical Law today.
