What happens if I voluntarily surrender my medical or nursing license?

There are so many possible scenarios in which nurses and physicians may be subject to discipline by the state medical boards and licensing departments. What you decide to do in one state can impact what happens in another state if you hold multiple licenses. While some legal problems, such as convictions for fraud or injury […]

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Illinois physician agrees to surrender medical license after giving patients non-FDA approved drugs

Dr. Ann Kinnealey is no longer an Illinois-licensed medical doctor following investigations leading to an agreement with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Kinnealey may have been facing IDFPR discipline and elected to surrender her license voluntarily. She waived her right to a hearing with the Department investigating her in connection with […]

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Telemedicine improving treatment of autistic children, saving money, reducing anxiety

Parents with autistic children face significant challenges. Autistic children often function best with a routine and controlled schedule and environment. When there are significant disruptions to the autistic child’s day, such as an unexpected trip to a doctor, the result can include sudden behavioral problems and strong reactions. In medicine, a prevailing thought and assumption […]

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Indiana nurse practitioner, licenses in emergency suspension, acquitted of felonies

Kathy Lynch, the nurse practitioner in Indiana, charged and found not guilty of multiple felony counts for prescribing narcotic diet pills without a license, called in prescriptions for the doctor, without independently being licensed by the state, with a DEA registration. When the news story broke, Chicago Tribune readers learned that Lynch prescribed 2,048 prescriptions […]

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Will a DUI arrest and conviction affect my physicians or nursing license?

Michael V. Favia and Associates, P.C., works with physicians and health care professionals who are arrested and face conviction for DUI, helping clients mitigate the damage to their license and future health care career.

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Telemedicine: Illinois licensing issues

Telemedicine and new telehealth options are available to an increasing number of patients. In addition to hospitals and health care organizations, direct health care service providers are adopting telemedicine into their medical practices to serve and an increased number of patients. Telemedicine utilizes mobile apps and software allowing doctors and patients to meet in a virtual setting for certain types of services. In other settings, when meeting with your regular doctor, you might use mobile health care technology to bring in a specialist who would otherwise not be available due to schedules and distances. Routine doctor-patient interactions, such as follow up visits and general maintenance can be conducted using telemedicine, saving time and resources for patients who would otherwise need to drive distances to see their doctor. As more people learn of the benefits of telemedicine, there may be a patient preference to see a doctor who can see them in person or by mobile health care technology. In light of the benefits of telemedicine, there are certain legal issues arising in mobile health care. Practitioners should be aware and mindful of licensing issues.

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Illinois doctors fearful of investigation for participating in Medical Cannabis Pilot Program

Some doctors in Illinois are hesitant to provide referrals for medical marijuana as they hear news of the state medical licensing board and agencies investigating some of the physicians who do provide medical marijuana referrals. While doctors who participate in the practice of making medical marijuana referrals may be operating in compliance with state law, there is always potential for abuse. With the medical marijuana law, the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program, in Illinois being relatively new, it is likely there are physicians who do not understand all the requirements and duties under the law. The doctors under investigation could receive a written reprimand or more discipline including the suspension and revocation of medical licenses and privileges.

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Dr. Whistleblower: Reporting $10 million in a Medicare billing fraud scheme, could share in recovery

Former CEO of a physician-hospital practice venture, Robert Dannenhoffer, MD, filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging his former employer terminated the doctor’s position in retaliation for Dannenhoffer reporting a $10 million Medicare fraud scheme. Dr. Dannenhoffer led investigators to discover a fraudulent payment scheme, by which doctors were being compensated more money in exchange […]

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Real Estate taxation, exemptions and appeals with Attorney Katherine O’Dell

The Illinois Professional Licensing Consultants is a group of highly experienced attorneys and investigators who represent and defend licensed professionals. Licensing consultants interviewed in this monthly program, previously worked for the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, and will represent and/or defend licensed professionals in cases involving the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Illinois […]

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Home health care fraud in Bloomingdale, bogus certifications lead to jail time

Home health care facilities can be hotbeds for fraud and prosecutors with their investigators recently put another fraud case in the news. The Bloomingdale-based Home Care Physicians Inc., part-owner and employee, Dr. Arthur Davida, 62, pleaded guilty and received a 2-year sentence in connection with home health care fraud. Physicians engaging in fraudulent activities are […]

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