report a doctor who did not communicate service to patient massachusetts

by Edwin Spinka MD 10 min read

Submit a Complaint Against a Physician | Mass.gov

6 hours ago Resources to help submit a complaint for the Board of Registration in Medicine's review. Patients or patient representatives can submit a complaint against a physician for the Board to review. The preferred method is to use our Online Complaint System. There are also paper forms in three languages which you can mail to the Board, and a brochure ... >> Go To The Portal


You have the right to file a complaint with the Massachusetts Office of Patient Protection (OPP) if you have a problem getting the services you need, including quality and affordable health care. To file a complaint you must first complete your health plan’s grievance process.

Full Answer

How do I file a complaint about a hospital in Massachusetts?

File a complaint here. The Department of Public Health has partnered with the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) to produce a video in sign language that provides information on filing a complaint about care received in a hospital.

What happens if a doctor fails to communicate test results?

Research indicates that doctors can fail to communicate test results to their patients over 7% of the time. This may not seem like a common problem, but such failures can result in serious injury or complications, even if the test results do not indicate that anything is wrong.

Where can I find information about a doctor in Massachusetts?

Requires library card for access. Massachusetts physician profiles, Board of Registration in Medicine. Information about "the physician’s specialty, medical school, residency training, insurance plans accepted, honors/awards, publications and a host of other information" in Massachusetts.

Can I file a medical malpractice lawsuit for a doctor's failure to communicate?

Additionally, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit if your injury is particularly serious. You will have to prove in court that you received actual injuries as a result of the doctor’s failure to communicate test results.

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How do I file a complaint against a doctor in Massachusetts?

To file a complaint against a Massachusetts doctor, you will need to contact the state's medical board at 781.876. 8200. You can visit the mass.gov/massmedboard to learn more about filing a grievance against a medical provider.

How do I file a complaint in Massachusetts?

You can reach us at (617) 727-8400. You can file a complaint at any time using our online form.

How do I file a complaint with Mass General Hospital?

A. You can file a quality of care complaint to the Massachusetts Division of Healthcare Quality at 617-753-8150 or to the Joint Commission at 800-994-6610. If you think your civil rights have been violated, you can call the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office at 617-727-2200.

What is the most common patient complaint?

Studies have found that the vast majority of hospital patient complaints are related to the customer service they receive, specifically in the areas of:Staff/Patient Communication: 53 percent.Long Wait Times: 35 percent.Practice Staff Behavior: 12 percent.Billing Discrepencies: 2 percent.

What is Massachusetts Chapter 93A?

The Consumer Protection Act (M.G.L. Chapter 93A ) protects people from unfair and misleading business actions. It gives buyers the right to sue in court and get back money they lost. The law also allows businesses to sue other businesses.

How do I file a 93A in Massachusetts?

To bring a Chapter 93A claim, a consumer must send a demand letter to the offending business at least thirty days before filing a court action. The letter must identify yourself, describe the unfair or deceptive act or practice you believe is at issue, and identify the injury you suffered.

Is Service Desk a MGH?

How can I get help with a computer problem or a problem with accessing my e-mail account? If you are connected to the network, please go to the IS Service Desk intranet page or call 617-726-5085.

How do I report a therapist in Massachusetts?

To file a complaint you must first complete your health plan's grievance process.File a complaint with the OPP using the external review request form here.Call the OPP by phone: (800) 436-7757.

How do I report a doctor in CT?

Filing the Complaint: DPH has a form that you should use to file your complaint. It is available online to print out, fill in and mail, or you can call them and have them mail you a copy: 860-509-7552. When DPH receives your complaint, you should get a letter within 10 days acknowledging that it has been received.

What are the 10 rights of the patient?

Let's take a look at your rights.The Right to Be Treated with Respect.The Right to Obtain Your Medical Records.The Right to Privacy of Your Medical Records.The Right to Make a Treatment Choice.The Right to Informed Consent.The Right to Refuse Treatment.The Right to Make Decisions About End-of-Life Care.

What do doctors complain about most?

5 Common Patient Complaints in HealthcareLong Wait Times.Issues with Staff Members.Amount of Time Spent with Doctor.Insurance and Billing.Lack of Communication and Dismissiveness.

Do all doctors get complaints?

Nearly all GPs (97%) who responded to a survey from the Medical Defence Union (MDU) said they had received a complaint against them during the course of their career, with slightly lower figures for consultants (88%) and trainees (71%).

What form do you need to file a hospital complaint?

If you are not the person receiving care, their legal surrogate, or have their permission to receive their personal medical information, you will need to complete a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) form.

What is a division of health care?

The Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification is a regulatory agency required to identify and address Federal or State regulatory violations. In order for us to help you in the most effective and timely way, please read the following guidelines before submitting your complaint.

Do you get a copy of a patient report if you don't have legal authority?

It will streamline the process if you print and complete a copy of this form, get necessary signatures, and submit it with your written complaint. If you do not have legal authority to receive patient information, you will not receive a copy of the entire report, but you will receive a synopsis with a conclusion.

COVID-19

Explaining HIPAA: No, it doesn’t ban questions about your vaccination status, Washington Post, May 22, 2021.

Best bet

HHS Office for Civil Rights: HIPAA Site links to just about every important document related to HIPAA standards for protection of the privacy of medical information, including laws, regulations, information for consumers and providers, filing a complaint, and fact sheets on a variety of related topics

Massachusetts regulations

243 CMR 2.07 (13) Requirement to make available records, permissible fees

Federal law

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) , P.L. 104-191. The law creating strict guidelines for medical record confidentiality.

Web sources

Department of Mental Health privacy practices/HIPAA. Privacy Handbook, forms, policy on protected mental health information. https://www.mass.gov/department-of-mental-health-privacy-practiceshipaa

Print sources

Guide to medical privacy and HIPAA, by D'Arcy Guerin Gue, Thompson Pub. Group, loose-leaf

What is an improper care complaint?

Improper care or unsafe conditions. You may have a complaint about improper care (like claims of abuse to a nursing home resident) or unsafe conditions (like water damage or fire safety concerns).

How to file an appeal with Medicare?

For questions about a specific service you got, look at your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or log into your secure Medicare account . You can file an appeal if you disagree with a coverage or payment decision made by one of these: 1 Medicare 2 Your Medicare health plan 3 Your Medicare drug plan

How long does it take for OPA to process a grievance?

If your complaint cannot be resolved in a timely manner, it will become a grievance. OPA will review and resolve the grievance within 10 business days.

How long does it take for OPA to acknowledge a complaint?

If you present a complaint, your care will not be affected in any way. If you send a complaint by fax, e-mail or written letter, OPA will acknowledge your communication within two business days.

What is the phone number for the Office of Patient Advocacy?

If you have a problem that you cannot solve with your doctor, nurse or other caregiver, please call the Office of Patient Advocacy. 617-726-3370. Patients, families, visitors or staff can contact the Office of Patient Advocacy with a concern.

How to file a complaint with the Massachusetts Office of Patient Protection?

To file a complaint you must first complete your health plan’s grievance process. File a complaint with the OPP using the external review request form ...

How long does it take to file a complaint with a health insurance company in Massachusetts?

The first thing you need to do is file a complaint with your health plan. By Massachusetts law, complaints must be resolved within 30 days. Follow the steps below to file a complaint and grievance with your health plan: The law requires health plans accept your complaint by phone, mail, in person or electronically (by fax or e-mail).

What is the meaning of Zaleskas v. Brigham and Women's Hospital?

App. Ct. 55 (2020)#N#"if a patient unambiguously withdraws consent after medical treatment has begun, and if it is medically feasible to discontinue treatment, continued treatment following such a withdrawal may give rise to a medical battery claim."

What is 45 CFR Part 88?

Federal regulations. 45 CFR Part 88 Protecting statutory conscience rights in health care. Allows health workers to refuse to perform or assist medical procedures, like abortion, sterilization, or assisted suicide, if it violates their “conscience” or religion.

Why do doctors not disclose test results?

A doctor might fail to disclose test results for several reasons. For one, they may simply forget to tell the patient about the test results. More often, test results can be lost or confused along the chain of communication in a hospital . Test results are often relayed between several different people, such as from a nurse to ...

What happens if a doctor fails to disclose results of a medical exam?

If your doctor has failed to disclose the results of your medical exam, you may be entitled to legal relief. You should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible while the events are still fresh in your recollection. An attorney can help specify your course of action if you have been injured as a result of your doctor’s errors.

Why is it important to keep medical records?

These records and receipts may be useful in reminding yourself and others what tests have been performed on you and what test results you are currently entitled to receiving.

Can you file a medical malpractice lawsuit?

Additionally , you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit if your injury is particularly serious. You will have to prove in court that you received actual injuries as a result of the doctor’s failure to communicate test results. Also, you will need to prove that the failure to communicate test results is directly traceable to your doctor.

Do you have to know the results of a medical exam?

As the patient, you are entitled to know the results of your medical exams. All medical professionals are held to a high standard of medical care, and that standard of care includes informing the patient of the outcome of any medical test or examination, such as a colonoscopy or a mammogram, that is performed on them. Your doctor should also inform you of the purpose of the medical exam, and also of any dangers or side effects that might result from the exam.

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