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Investigations

Each year the Oregon Medical Board receives around 750-850 complaints. All complaints are thoroughly reviewed, and approximately 400-500 of those complaints result in a complete and detailed investigation. 

Complaints come from other health care professionals, hospitals, patients and their families, and other sources. Some complaints are resolved quickly because initial investigation found that the licensee did not violate any state law or regulation. Others are referred to other appropriate state or professional organizations for review. See the chart at the bottom of this page for other health professional licensing boards.
 
The Board's Investigations Department reviews all complaints to determine whether state law (The Medical Practice Act) may have been violated. There are 27 separate grounds for discipline or denial of a license in the Medical Practice Act. Most are very specific. They include chemical substance abuse, gross or repeated acts of negligence, and conviction of a criminal offense. "Unprofessional conduct" is also a violation and includes sexual misconduct with a patient. These specific violations are set forth at Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 677.190.  

Each complaint is unique and is considered on its own merits with its specific set of circumstances.  The following list is intended to give the public a general idea of the type of complaints that are under the Board's jurisdiction. 

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 medical opinions expressed as part of an Independent Medical Examination (IME)

   Criminal activity (also report to law enforcement)

Complaints about insurance companies or health plans



* In some circumstances, the Board may investigate. For example, if the billing issue is fraud (i.e. repeatedly charging for a service that is not provided), the Board has jurisdiction to investigate. 

If you wish to lodge a complaint, you may submit the Board's Complaint Form (English / Spanish) via postal mail. Per ORS 677.200(1), all complaints must be submitted in writing.


More Information on Filing a Complaint

How to File a Complaint
Who Must Report to the Board? (Mandatory Reporters)
Complaint and Investigation Process (PDF Flowchart)
Information for Complainants

Sexual Trauma Support

The Oregon Medical Board takes accusations of sexual misconduct extremely seriously. If you have filed a sexual misconduct complaint with the Board and would like additional resources, please visit the Oregon AttorneyGeneral's Sexual Assault Task Force webpage. There, you will find contact information for nonprofit organizations in your area. Please note that the Sexual Assault Task Force does not operate a shelter or crisis hotline.  

More information and resources are available on the Board's Sexual Trauma Support Topic of Interest page.


Alternative Complaint Resources
If your complaint is not about a physician (MD, DO, DPM), physician assistant (PA), or acupuncturist (LAc), use the guide below to help you identify the appropriate Board or agency to contact: 

   Licensee or Issue

Board or Agency
  Billing/Insurance
Oregon Division of Financial Regulation
  Business Practices
Better Business Bureau
  Chiropractor
Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners
  Counselor, Therapist
Oregon Board of Licensed Counselors andTherapists
   Dentist
Oregon Board of Dentistry
   EMS

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

   General Health Topics

Oregon Health Authority (OHA)

   Hospitals/Medical Facilities

OHA's Health Care Regulation and QualityImprovement (HCRQI) section

   Massage Therapist

Board of Massage Therapists

   Medical Imaging Technologist Oregon Board of Medical Imaging
   Naturopath

Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners

   Nurse, Nurse Practitioner

Oregon State Board of Nursing

   Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapy Licensing Board

   Optometrist

Oregon Board of Optometry

   Pharmacist

Oregon Board of Pharmacy

   Psychologist

Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners

   Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist Licensing Board

   Respiratory Therapist

Oregon Health Licensing Office

  Social Worker Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers
  Speech-Language Pathologist, Audiologist Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
  State Agency Links

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