Medical Board Lacks Some Discipline Records
Not all doctors who are ordered to pay damages to patients end up paying the price on their records, according to a newspaper investigation that found only some cases ever make it into the Medical Board of California’s records.
One-third of 66 reviewed cases were entered into the agency’s computer database, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. However, all of the cases’ verdicts and arbitration awards were widely reported by the media in the last three years.
The medical board licenses, monitors and disciplines physicians. The agency also is where thousands of patients turn when evaluating and selecting doctors.
In some cases, the agency said it was unaware of the decisions partly because it was not informed by court clerks and insurance agencies.
“Not everything that is reportable is being reported,” said Medical Board spokeswoman Candis Cohen.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
