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Scottsdale,
Ariz. – Filing a complaint
against a physician is now as easy as 1-2-3.
Beginning this week, consumers can file a complaint
with the Arizona Medical Board on-line at www.azmdboard.org
and automatically receive a receipt of the complaint
and a tracking number to follow the case progression
on-line. “Arizona is one of the first medical
boards in the country to implement a system like
this,” said Executive Director Barry A.
Cassidy, Ph.D., P.A.-C. “I am extremely
proud of the accomplishments Board staff continue
to make that bring increased services to the
public,” he said.
The
Arizona Medical Board got the idea for the on-line
complaint filing and tracking
system while participating
in the statewide initiative to bring on-line payment
services to Arizona State agencies. The Board is
still working on the second piece of the project
that will provide on-line physician licensing and
renewal applications and payments. “It seemed
logical to build on existing resources to bring this
service to realization,” said Cassidy.
The
system is designed to provide information to consumers
in two pieces. After filing
a complaint
on-line, consumers are e-mailed a tracking number.
That number tracks the complaint through the initial
process of processing the information received, gathering
additional information, and opening an investigation. “All
cases received by the Board are opened,” said
Cassidy, “except for those that fall outside
the Board’s jurisdiction.”
After a case has been opened, a case number is assigned.
At any time, the complainant or the physician can
enter the case number and determine where the case
status and the date when the case first reached that
status. A case can fall within one of four status
categories: Case Opened, Case Under Investigation,
Case Under Review, and Case Closed. Each status category
is hyperlinked to definitions of that status.
For those consumers who prefer the traditional approach
to complaint filing, complaint forms can be downloaded
from the website. Complaint forms may also be requested
by calling the Board at (480) 551-2700.
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