Complaints
The Oregon Medical Board takes all complaints seriously and is committed to protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of Oregonians by ensuring licensees meet the standards of safe and ethical practice.
The Board receives nearly 1,000 complaints each year, a volume that requires significant time and resources to review thoroughly. To ensure staff can focus on matters that fall within the Board's jurisdiction and warrant investigation, we ask that complainants take a moment to review the chart below before submitting. Not all concerns about a health care experience are matters the Board can address, and submitting complaints outside the Board's scope can delay action on serious cases.
The Board will investigate only complaints that allege a violation of Oregon law by a Board licensee.
Complaint Examples:
Quality of care; inappropriate or substandard care
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Medical facilities (hospitals, clinics, etc.)
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Impaired licensee
| People not licensed by the Board (nurses, office staff, etc.)
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Inappropriate prescribing
| General billing issues*
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Inappropriate relationships with a nexus to medicine (patients, co-workers, etc.)
| Rude behavior*
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Inappropriate boundaries
| Independent Medical Examinations (IME)
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Criminal activity (also report to law enforcement)
| Insurance companies or health plans
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* The Board may investigate in some circumstances. For example, if a billing issue is fraud (i.e. repeatedly charging for a service that is not provided), or if rude behavior is in addition to conduct or practice which does or might constitute a danger to the health or safety of a patient or the public, the Board has jurisdiction to investigate.
Please do not submit a complaint if you are aware that another individual has already filed a complaint regarding the same concern. Duplicate submissions create additional administrative burden and can delay the processing of all complaints.
After reviewing the information above, if you wish to submit a complaint, please complete the online Complaint Submission Form. Alternatively, you may download and mail the Board's Complaint Form (English / Spanish). Per ORS 677.200(1), all complaints must be submitted in writing.
Complaints may also be submitted by mailing a letter to the Board. The letter must include 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.
Written complaints should be mailed to the following address:
Email is not confidential. Do not submit complaint information through email.
Important: Please retain copies of all materials you send the Board. The Oregon Medical Board is unable to provide copies of complaint submissions.
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. Email is not confidential. Do not submit complaint information through email.
Detailed information on the investigative process can be found on the Information for Person Making a Complaint webpage.
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 strives to provide an inclusive and accessible experience for all Oregonians. If you require accommodations to complete the complaint form, in writing (as required by
ORS 677.200(1)), please contact Jessica Bates, ADA Coordinator, at 971-673-2700
Jessica.Bates@omb.oregon.gov. 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.