Health License Defense

On August 25th, the Texas Medical Board advised that it still has not hired a Medical Director.  The difficulty, in part in hiring the new Medical Director has been the salary.  It is set and it is inflexible.

What is appropriate to do for patients who have been using marijuana for pain management or for other purposes?  If you are aware of such use, either because they tell you or it comes back on a screen.  Can you prescribe controlled substances for these patients?  This was aksked at the last Board meeting.  The answer is [...]

Proposed Rules Licensing and Enforcement – Practice and Procedure – Temporary and Limited Licenses
The amendment to §172.2, concerning Construction and Definitions, adds definitions for controlled substances and dangerous drugs.
The amendment to §172.3, concerning Distinguished Professors Temporary License
1)       must complete all provisions of an application for a full license
2)       updates the name of the American Osteopathic [...]

Anyone who  has practiced medicine in Texas for more than the last three years will remember that each quarter, they would receive a newsletter from the Texas Medical Board.  This newsletter would have information about the Board members, an editorial from the Executive Director and sometimes information about a new rule.  But the majority of [...]

At the June Board meeting, there was a discussion regarding “abuses” of open records requests.  Board staff informed the Public Information Committee about 22 TAC 199.3, which generally provides if someone continues to make open records requests over 36 hours of staff time, they can charge additional money.  According to staff there are a handful [...]

On July 16th, the Texas Medical Board published it proposed rule changes to be considered at it next Board meeting in August.  It is important for licensees and other interested parties to review these rules to determine how it affects you and your practice. 
 If you support or oppose a rule change, you can write to [...]

At the June meeting for the Texas Medical Board, staff reported to the Board members that the Board is doing well for its 2010 budget, which ends on August 31st.  Currently, the Board has spent 7.5 million out of an 11 million dollar budget.   Most of the remaining money will go to staff salaries and [...]

Dr. Donald Patrick, 72, the former Executive Director of the Texas Medical Board joined the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation as the Medical Advisor effective July 12, 2010.  The Medical Advisor’s office conducts investigations against physicians alleged of overutilization — overtreating and overbilling for services the worker’s compensation system.

For Physicians, Physician Assistants and Acupuncturist, if you have a website for yourself or your practice effect July 1, 2010, the Board has instituted new rules that directly affect you. The rule, I believe is some what onerous and vague. I think it may be difficult for some people to comply with; but if you [...]

There are new prescriptive delegation rules drafted by the Texas Medical Board and many physicians, APRNs or PAs may not be aware of the changes.  The rules apply to prescriptions, delegation by physicians, practice sites, and review of charts.  One of the big areas that can impact an APRN or PA is the requirement for [...]