Arizona Medical Board Disciplinary Actions | How Actions for the Arizona Medical Board can Affect a Physician

Arizona Medical Board disciplinary actions are given to Arizona physicians with a license or certification. If the Board determines formal disciplinary action is necessary, it will happen after the completion of an investigation. It’s the job of the Board to review any complaint alleging a violation of Arizona laws and regulations. 

Chelle Law’s Arizona Medical Board Attorneys have represented over 1,000 healthcare professionals before Arizona licensing boards. At Chelle Law, our attorneys have the experience to help physicians with all Arizona Medical Board matters.

Thus, at a Board Meeting, the Board will vote to determine the outcome of each investigation. The Board can vote on non-disciplinary actions or vote to offer the physician a formal discipline. 

Disciplinary actions can include:

• Dismissal
• Advisory Letter
• Letter of Reprimand
• Letter of Reprimand with Probation
• Stipulated Rehabilitation Agreement
• Decree of Censure with Probation
• Non-disciplinary Order for Continuing Education
• Voluntary Surrender
• Suspension
• Revocation

Arizona Medical Board Non-Disciplinary Actions

• CASE DISMISSAL: The Arizona Board may dismiss a complaint if they determine the information indicates there was not a violation of the rules of the Arizona physician Practice Act. This outcome is not available to the public.
• ADVISORY LETTER: A letter from the Board expressing concern that the physician’s conduct was not ideal. However, the behavior does not necessarily violate the Medical Practice Act or Board policy, and no further contact is needed. It will not affect future licensure or if the physician wishes further their education. The license verification does not show it.
• NON-DISCIPLINARY ORDER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION: An order that dictates the physician must complete a number of hours of continuing medical education for specific topics.

Arizona MD Unprofessional Conduct

• REVOCATION: If the Board revokes a physician’s license, the physician will be unable to practice or get licensed again for a minimum of five years. After the five-year license revocation period, the physician will need to reapply for their license. If the physician reapplies for licensure, they must demonstrate that they have rectified what would be grounds for revocation (substance abuse, mental health problems, criminal convictions) through an applicable program. It is a public document.
• VOLUNTARY SURRENDER: The physician voluntarily gives up their license. The benefit of this voluntary consent is that the Board is usually willing to reduce the time until a physician can reapply. It is generally between two to three years.
• SUSPENSION: A suspension stops the physician from practicing. It prohibits any patient contact or services for a while until the Board lifts the suspension.
• PROBATION: The Board offers probation through a consent agreement. The consent agreement requires the physician do certain things (drug testing, work supervision, counseling, continuing education). Alternatively, they may need to refrain from doing things (unsupervised Medical like home health, working under the Medical licensure compact, using alcohol, etc.) The physician will need a request for the removal of probation.
• LETTER OF REPRIMAND: A letter of reprimand is the lowest formal discipline against a respondent. There are no probationary requirements. However, the action will be on the website for five years for the public to inspect. A document removal will occur five years after signing. It is similar to a civil penalty with other boards.
• STIPULATED REHABILITATION AGREEMENT: Similar to an interim practice restriction, this Agreement dictates that the physician must be monitored and complete rehabilitation. For instance, a physician with a substance abuse problem would be subject to drug testing, group or individual therapy, practice restrictions, and supervision, and their license to practice medicine would be affected.

Arizona Medical Board Complaint Information

Who can file an Arizona Medical Board Complaint against a physician? Patients, health care facilities, and other professionals, among others. When the Arizona Medical Board receives a complaint, the Board initiates an investigation into the complaint (if the Board has jurisdiction and nobody dismissed the complaint). 

After this happens, the physician receives notice, and the board assigns an investigator to the case. Please note that having an attorney during this step can be crucial for physicians as they must submit a response and interview with the investigator while also possibly appearing at an Arizona Medical Board.

Responding to a Records Request

After receiving an Arizona Medical Board Complaint or self-report, a physician gets a notice from the Board requesting additional information and response to allegations found in the complaint. From here, the Medical Board assigns an investigator to the complaint, and they begin to collect evidence. 

The documents and evidence collected include the following:

• Patient medical records
• Employment files from the physician’s employer and business
• Criminal records
• Interviews of people associated with the Board Complaint (These interviewees can include the patient, medical director, colleagues, etc.)

Consultation with Chelle Law

If you’re interested in learning more about our Arizona Medical Board Attorney services and how to protect your license, set up a consultation with Chelle Law today.