Complaint FAQs

You can file a complaint online using the complaint form on the Board's website. To request a complaint form by mail, call 410-764-2480.

Yes. However, if there is insufficient information in the complaint, the Board may be unable to investigate the allegations because it cannot follow up with the complaining individual.

The Board needs the licensee's full name (first and last), the relevant date or dates, and a description of the alleged misconduct. If this information is not provided, the Board generally will not be able to investigate.

The Board may discipline a practitioner who has violated any disciplinary grounds. The following are some of the more serious infractions that lead to the Board placing restrictions on a license or even revoking a license to practice in Maryland:

1. Misuse of alcohol or drugs;
2. Sexual misconduct with a patient
3. Conviction of a criminal act;
4. Prescribing drugs in an inappropriate manner or without a legitimate reason;
5. Accepting money or other consideration in return for patient referrals;
6. Falsifying or misrepresenting information;
7. Fraud.

The Board investigates unlicensed individuals who practice medicine without a license. Following a violation and disciplinary proceedings, an unlicensed individual may be issued a Cease and Desist Order, a fine, or both.

When the Board receives a complaint:

1. The Board reviews all complaints to determine whether a possible violation of the Medical Practice Act warrants further investigation.
2. The Board will send a letter to the complainant acknowledging the Board's receipt of the complaint.
3. Your written complaint typically serves as your full statement, so please provide as much information as possible. The Board will only contact you if clarification or additional information is needed.
4. To determine if a violation has occurred and further inquiry is warranted, a copy of your complaint is generally sent to the licensee for review and response; medical records are obtained as necessary.
5. Once all information is obtained, the Board's medical consultant reviews the investigative file. After the medical consultant's review, the information goes to one of the Board's Panels for a decision on whether to charge the case or close it.
6. The complaint review process can take up to three months for a preliminary investigation, and up to 18 months if a full investigation is determined necessary.

The Board investigates potential violations of the Medical Practice Act. The Board will conduct a thorough investigation of the facts, employ full-time investigators to gather information, and then present the findings to the Board members. If the Board has a reasonable basis to conclude that a violation of the Maryland Medical Practice Act has occurred, the Board will issue a charging document that provides the licensee with notice of the general facts and potential grounds for the alleged violation. The accused individual has an opportunity to defend themself before an administrative law judge in a formal administrative evidentiary hearing. An individual filing a complaint, as well as any other witnesses, could be called to testify at the hearing. In sensitive cases, the identities of witnesses are not publicly released, and the names of witnesses who are patients are never disclosed. After the hearing, if a violation of the Medical Practice Act has occurred, a disciplinary panel may impose a sanction appropriate to the violation against the licensee. Retraining, including coursework, rehabilitation services, mandatory supervision, fines, and other requirements, may be required in addition to probation, suspension, or revocation of a license.

Complaints are most often resolved in one of two ways:

1. No formal action. The Board will not take disciplinary action when there is no violation of the Medical Practice Act. In such cases, the Board is nonetheless concerned about some aspect of the healthcare practitioner's conduct or performance, and may issue a non-public, confidential advisory letter to the healthcare practitioner that provides education or information to prevent future violations.
2. b. Public Charges are issued. In violations of the Medical Practice Act, the Board will take action and issue charges. The healthcare practitioner or an unlicensed individual will have the right to challenge the charges at an evidentiary hearing. The case may be resolved through a public consent order agreed to by the individual and the Board, or after a full evidentiary hearing at the Office of Administrative Hearings. The Board may dismiss the case or issue a final decision and order taking formal public disciplinary action.

Many issues that are important to consumers do not fall within the Board's jurisdiction because no violation of the Medical Practice Act is present or substantiated. Dismissal from a medical practice does not violate the Act. Many billing, financial, and interpersonal issues are also outside the Board's jurisdiction. The Board cannot help a patient sue a provider for money, settle fee disputes, resolve issues about disability ratings and compensation, or mediate personality conflicts among patients, doctors, and office staff. The Board cannot update or otherwise change a patient's medical record through a filed complaint.

Generally, no. Per Health Occupations §1-603, Annotated Code of Maryland, a complaint submitted more than 6 years after care was received is not eligible for further investigation by the Board. There are, however, the following exceptions:

1. Criminal convictions, sexual misconduct, or other similar boundary violations;
2. Reciprocal discipline matters;
3. Ongoing substance abuse;
4. Fraudulent concealment of material information; or
5. Acts that occur while a patient is a minor.

If the conduct that prompted the complaint is not found to violate the Maryland Medical Practice Act, the Board will send a letter to the complainant indicating the complaint was closed or closed with a non-public advisory letter.

If a complaint results in public action, it will be posted to the licensee's public information page on the Board's website. Otherwise, anonymous complainants are not notified. Complainants who do not request anonymity may receive a “closure letter” that notifies them of the resolution of the case, whatever the outcome.

The Medical Practice Act does not authorize an appeal of the Board's decision. However, your complaint will remain on file and serve as an important resource for the Board to identify patterns of behavior that may require further investigation.