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How to File a Complaint

The Board will investigate only complaints that allege a violation of Oregon law by a Board licensee.  

Complaint Examples:


   The OMB MAY Investigate
The OMB Usually MAY NOT Investigate*
  Quality of care; inappropriate or substandard care
Complaints about providers not licensed by the Board
   Impaired physician or other licensee

General billing issues

   Inappropriate prescribing

Complaints that a doctor or his/her staff was rude

   Inappropriate relationship with patient or
   patient family member

Complaints about medical facilities, including hospitals, clinics, or other medical institutions

   Inappropriate boundaries by a physician or
   other licensee

Complaints about Independent Medical Examinations (IME)

   Criminal activity (also report to law enforcement)

Complaints about insurance companies or health plans


* The Board may investigate in some circumstances (e.g. if the billing issue is fraud). 
  
Per ORS 677.200(1), all complaints must be submitted in writing. You may file a complaint with the Board by using the Complaint Form (English / Spanish) or by submitting a letter to the Board that includes the following information:
 
  • The full name of the licensee about whom you are filing a complaint.
  • The patient's name, mailing address, telephone number and date of birth.
  • If you are not the patient, your name, address, and telephone number.
  • A description of the incident about which you are filing a complaint, including the date(s) when it happened, and where (clinic, doctor's office, hospital, nursing home).
  • Please provide as much detail about the incident as possible.
  • If any other doctors treated the patient before or after the incident, please include the names of these providers.

The Board will notify the person filing the complaint about whether or not an investigation will occur. If an investigation is conducted, the person who filed the complaint also will be notified when the case is resolved and the circumstances under which it was resolved. Please note that complaints can take many months to resolve, so your patience during the investigative process is appreciated. At any time during the investigative process, persons who file complaints are welcome to contact the Board regarding the status of their complaint. 
 
Written complaints should be mailed to the following address:
 
Oregon Medical Board
Investigations Manager
1500 SW 1st Ave. #620
Portland, OR 97201

If you have a question about how or if you should file a complaint, you may contact the Board's Complaint Resource Staff. You may also call (971) 673-2702, or toll free at (877) 254-6263. The Investigations fax number is (971) 673-2669. Please note that e-mail is not confidential. Do not submit complaint information through e-mail.

Confidentiality

Oregon law (ORS 676.175) requires that information provided to the Board be kept confidential. The information gathered during investigations will not be disclosed or available for uses outside the Board. The confidentiality requirement means that the specifics of the investigation cannot be shared with anyone, including the complainant. If a violation is found and the case is settled with an Order by the Board, the Order is public information. There is a $10.00 fee for a copy of the Order. 
 
Persons who file a complaint or provide information during an investigation and do so in good faith are protected and are not subject to an action for civil damages for providing a report or information to the Board (ORS 677.335 and 677.425).

Accessibility

The Oregon Medical Board ("Board") will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities and complies with all regulations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA").
 
The Board will make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures that might otherwise deny individuals with disabilities an opportunity to participate in its services, programs, or activities. The ADA does not require the Board to make modifications that would result in a fundamental alteration in its programs or services or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

The Board will provide appropriate aids and services for effective communication and access to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Requests for aids or other accommodations should be made to Jessica Bates, ADA Coordinator, at 971-673-2700 or Jessica.Bates@omb.oregon.gov as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.  No additional charges will be assessed to individuals with disabilities to cover the costs of reasonable accommodations. Complaints that a program, service, or activity of the Oregon Medical Board is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to Jessica Bates, ADA Coordinator.