Filing a Complaint with the Medical Board
Complaints inform the board of potential problems with a licensee’s practice. Anyone can file a complaint; the board receives complaints from a variety of sources, including patients, providers, hospitals, media, among others. Under Ohio law, complaints are always confidential.
Who can I file a complaint against?
- Physicians (MD, DO, DPM)
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Physician Assistants
- Genetic Counselors
- Massage Therapists
- Acupuncturists
- Radiologist Assistants
- Dietitians
- Respiratory Care Professionals
What steps should I take before filing a complaint?
The following are options available in attempting to resolve problems with one of the Medical Board licensees listed above:
Option 1
Discuss your complaint with the licensee or his or her supervisor. In most cases, they are sensitive to complaints about their services. You may feel reluctant to use this approach, but many complaints are resolved in this manner and it might be your most convenient way to proceed.
Option 2
A consumer may have the option of retaining an attorney for the purposes of bringing a personal injury lawsuit or other legal action.
Option 3
File a complaint with the State Medical Board of Ohio.
What does the Medical Board investigate?
The board investigates the following:
- Improper prescribing, dispensing or administering of drugs
- Minimal standards of care
- Fraud, misrepresentation or deception
- Lewd and immoral conduct
- Sexual misconduct
- Unlicensed practice
- Criminal convictions
- Impairment of ability to practice
- Continuing education violations
- Duty to report
- Miscellaneous violations
The Medical Board has no jurisdiction over the following:
- Providing patient medical records
- Billing or fee disputes
- Insurance coverage
- Personality conflicts
- Bedside manner or rudeness of practitioners
- HIPAA violations-- this falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. Disclosure of confidentiality is a violation.
- Scheduling issues
- Employee/employer disputes
- Issues with hospitals, urgent care centers, or clinics
- Nursing homes
How do I file a complaint?
Visit elicense.ohio.gov or leave a message on the State Medical Board of Ohio's Confidential Complaint Hotline at 1-833-333-SMBO (7626). If you have questions about the complaint process, you may email complaints@med.ohio.gov or call the Medical Board at 614-466-3934 and choose option 1 to speak to the complaint department.
What happens when I file a complaint?
Should you choose to file a complaint, know that the Medical Board is required by State law to maintain the confidentiality of all information related to Board investigations. In addition, the board will not identify you as the complainant without first obtaining your permission to release your name.
Investigations can take as little as a few days up to a year or more with most lasting several months. It depends on the complexity of your complaint and the current caseload. Click here to view a flowchart of the board's complaint, investigation, enforcement, and disciplinary process.
There is no statute of limitations on filing a complaint.
If the board finds that there has been a violation of the Medical Practices Act, it may choose one of the following disciplinary actions:
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Reprimand the licensee
-
Put the licensee on probation
-
Limit/restrict the practitioner’s license
-
Suspend the license
-
Permanently revoke the license
Learn more about what happens when you file a complaint:
Please Note
The Medical Board is an administrative agency and is only authorized to take action against a license to practice. It is not authorized to participate in malpractice lawsuit.
The State Medical Board of Ohio does NOT license or regulate these health care professionals or facilities.
To file a complaint please contact the appropriate agency:
RNs, LPNs, Certified Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives, Certified Nurse
Anesthetists
The Ohio Board of Nursing - http://nursing.ohio/
Chiropractors
The Ohio State Chiropractic Board - http://chirobd.ohio.gov/
Dentists
The Ohio State Dental Board - http://dental.ohio.gov/
Psychologists
The Ohio Board of Psychology - http://psychology.ohio.gov/
Pharmacists, Pharmacy Interns, Pharmacy Technicians
State of Ohio Pharmacy Board - http://pharmacy.ohio.gov/
Community Mental Health Agencies
Ohio Mental Health & Addiction Services - http://mha.ohio.gov/
