To Disclose or Not to Disclose on Renewal Application. That is the Question.
Physicians regularly complete new and renewal applications for all sorts of things. Medical licenses. Hospital privileges. Employment. In-network status with insurance carriers. Professional liability coverage. The list is long. The longer you have been in practice, the more complicated the applications. The questions cast a … Read more
The Perks of Being a Physician
It’s not easy being a physician. I won’t catalogue the challenges here. As Frank Sinatra once pined in “My Way”, “Regrets, I’ve had a few.” He continued, “But then again, too few to mention.” One of the main “perks” becomes obvious when you are sick. … Read more
How (and When) to Ask Patients for Reviews
Your medical practice’s online reputation is a deciding factor for prospective patients, with reviews on platforms like Google, Healthgrades, and WebMD often providing a first impression of you as a provider and your practice. This means that accumulating enough positive reviews is critical to standing … Read more
Can Professionals Health Programs Make Unjustified Demands with Impunity?
Each year when I renew my medical license, I am asked if I want to make a voluntary donation to the state Professionals Health Program (PHP). Well, what is a PHP program? They go by different names in different states, but the concept is the … Read more
Can an Alleged Sexual Assault be Characterized as Medical Malpractice?
Professional liability policies include a list of exclusions. It will not pay out for such exclusions. One exclusion related to a contention of “Sexual Conduct.” Exclusion: “Liability arising from any Claim that includes contentions or descriptions of Sexual Conduct by you or anyone for whom … Read more
Unintended Consequences: Getting Burned on Informed Consent Many Years Later
Utah’s new law on informed consent & transgender care for minors may have unintended consequences for surgeons Buyer’s remorse. We’ve all had it. Who hasn’t wanted a do-over? Assorted states acknowledge it. In North Carolina, certain purchases trigger a “right to cancel.” There are others. … Read more
Review-Building Software: eMerit vs. Birdeye, Weave, DearDoc, & Others
If you are a physician trying to protect your medical practice from false claims online and to bolster your reputation, you have several review-building program options—eMerit from Medical Justice (that’s us!), Birdeye, Weave, and Reputation Defender are some of the big ones. eMerit vs. Other … Read more
Physicians and Bankruptcy
America is the land of second chances. Many years ago, if you could not pay your debts, you could be moved to a debtor’s prison. Even in the US. Many Colonial American jurisdictions established debtors’ prisons using the same models used in Great Britain. James … Read more
When a New Patient Asks You About an Old Malpractice Lawsuit
Medical malpractice lawsuits are public records. And sometimes they make the news. Sometimes they’re online. If a case was filed in court, it’s accessible to the public. (Arbitration agreements, on the other hand, are private matters. That’s another story for another day.) Say you’ve scheduled … Read more
So, My Mother Can’t Review Me Online?
On August 14, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) published its long-anticipated Final Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials (“Final Rule”), marking a significant development in the regulation of online reviews and endorsements (16 CFR Part 465). One section is labeled § 465.5 … Read more
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Healthcare Reform HIPAA & Patient Privacy Legal Medical Malpractice News/Announcements Patient Safety Reputation Management Risk Management
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