7 Reasons Why Doctors Lose Their Medical Licenses

By Staff Reporter Sep 03, 2021 12:54 PM EDT

A medical license gives doctors the legal right to practice medicine and should always be up-to-date to avoid being denied the chance to work. They are issued on conditional grounds, which, once violated, may lead to your license being revoked. Here are the reasons why doctors lose their medical licenses.

1. Medical malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when a patient suffers harm due to a doctor's negligence. It's an act or omission that doesn't conform to accepted practice norms in the medical community. A study suggested that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Incorrect diagnosis, improper treatment, and failure to warn patients of known risks are acts that qualify as medical malpractice. Suppose a patient, relative, or a doctor's colleague files a complaint with the medical licensing board, and the doctor is found guilty. In that case, their punishment may be a citation, public reprimand, probation, suspension, or license revocation.

2. Substance abuse

When doctors become addicted to drugs and alcohol due to stress arising from patient loss, continuous insurance updates, or personal problems, they are unlikely to perform their duties well, putting patients' lives in danger. Complaints from patients and fellow doctors may cause a doctor to lose their license. However, when a doctor opens up about their addiction problem, they are treated, and their license may be restored upon full recovery.

3. Fraud

Insurance fraud involves doctors knowingly using incorrect insurance codes, altering medical records, or charging uninsured patients differently from insured ones. If the licensing board finds you guilty of insurance fraud, your license may be revoked. In addition, doctors may lose their licenses if they charge excessively for services rendered or bill for services that weren't considered medically necessary.

4. Drug prescription violation

A wrong drug prescription may have serious health effects on a patient or even cause death. With sufficient evidence, a patient or a patient's family member can sue the doctor, which may lead to the revocation of their license. Medical practitioners should practice keenness when drafting drug prescriptions to ensure patient safety and good health. Additionally, doctors who run pill mills, take part in patient-doctor prescription shopping or abuse their medication prescription power risk losing licenses if an investigation is carried out.

5. Patient abuse

The doctor-patient relationship is usually based on trust and should be strictly professional. When a doctor sexually harasses, verbally, or physically abuses their patients, they are considered unethical. This may cause a doctor to lose their license. The doctor's profession requires them to nurture the trust given to them by their patients.

6. Patient discrimination

Discriminating patients based on religion, age, race, or gender is considered unethical. Every doctor has to treat all their patients equally regardless. If the medical licensing board discovers that doctors treat their patients differently, they may revoke their licenses.

7. Criminal conviction

When a doctor is found guilty of committing medical ethical violations and charged in court and convicted, they may lose their license. If they have a criminal record on matters different from medical licensing, their licenses are safe.

Endnote

A doctor's profession requires utmost adherence to laid down guidelines whose violation may lead to license revocation. These tips will help you stay away from acts that may cost you your medical license.