Board of Registration in Medicine
The Board of Registration in Medicine is responsible for the licensing, regulation, and discipline of all Massachusetts physicians and acupuncturists. Consumer complaints are specifically handled by the Board’s Consumer Protection Division. When a new complaint is filed against a physician, Board staff will conduct an initial assessment of the allegations to determine if there is any potential violation of the law, and if the complaint falls within the purview of the Board’s jurisdiction. If it is determined that an investigation is warranted, a Board Investigator will be assigned to the matter, and the physician will be asked to prepare a written response to the complaint. The Investigator will also request the production of certain documents, and may seek to interview the physician and other appropriate individuals as well. Ultimately, the Investigator will report his/her findings to the Complaint Committee, which will decide to either close the complaint or recommend to the full Board that a physician be disciplined. At that point in time, the physician may choose to resolve the case and accept a negotiated discipline, or instead opt for a full administrative hearing.
No matter how outlandish or frivolous the allegations may be, when an investigation has been opened against your license to practice, it is important to seek immediate legal assistance. Your initial written response to the complaint could ultimately be the deciding factor as to whether or not the Board will seek to impose discipline. At KLG, our team knows how to effectively analyze the merits of each complaint, in conjunction with complex medical records, and will prepare a compelling and effective Board response for you. In the event that the Board does seek to impose some form of discipline, our team will negotiate with the Board’s prosecutor to obtain the best possible outcome for you, while simultaneously preparing to zealously represent you at a formal hearing.