Find out if your doctor has ever had any disciplinary problems with state or federal health authorities, get information on a doctor's license status, number of open or closed complaints, disciplinary history, malpractice records and more.
Why check a doctor’s background?
In August 2006, a federal judge sentenced John E. Curran to 12.5 years in prison for fraud and money laundering. Promoting himself as a natural healer and posing as a medical doctor, Curran operated the Northeastern Institute for Advanced Natural Healing in Providence, R.I. He made false claims about his qualifications, educational background, and training. In 2005, the Rhode Island Department of Health suspended Curran's health care practice. The case was jointly investigated by the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Rhode Island Department of Health. Source: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Health care scams
There are scam artists who prey on consumers' fears of illness and hopes for recovery. In the worst cases, consumers ignore the advice of their own doctors and rely on fraudulent health care products and services. Aside from wasting their money, some of the patients become sicker or even die. Beware and consider as red flags:
Promises of a secret formula or special treatment that only the advertiser can provide.
Ads containing testimonials by people with no medical expertise.
Ads that promote self-diagnostic treatments.
Ads claiming that the cure is something your doctor or the government don't want you to know about.
It is strongly advised to do some background research of the product or the service before making a decision to use it.
Some doctor background check resources:
Arizona Board of Medical Examiners 9545 East Doubletree Ranch Road Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-5539 480.551.2700 (Phoenix area)
877.255.2212 (Toll free) - to check up whether a medical doctor is licensed in Arizona as well as provide information about any discipline history.
Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners in Medicine and Surgery. 9535 East Doubletree Ranch Road Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 480.657.7703 (Phoenix area) - to check up whether an osteopathic doctor is licensed in Arizona as well as provide information about any discipline history.
Hearing aids scams
Some companies offer free hearing tests and promise discount hearing aids, but often they in fact provide low-quality, ill-fitting and improperly operating devices. Be advised, please, that audiologists and hearing aid dispensers in Arizona are licensed by the Arizona's Department of Health Services. Beware of unsolicited calls or ads offering "free" hearing tests. The cost of the test is usually built into the cost of the hearing aid, so in fact is not "free" at all.
Why, again, it is preferable that you check your doctor's credentials and professional background on your own?
Really, why not get your doctor's credentials from a hospital? The more so that many hospitals have web sites posting their doctors credentials along with free doctor referral services... which they use to channel in more patients. A hospital will never tell you their doctors qualifications are poor, or that their doctor has a record of being seriously disciplined.
Ever tried to investigate people like a real Detective? If not, it's time to!
