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Overview Of Medical Board investigations And The Board’s Newly Obtained Investigation Powers

California Society for Healthcare Attorneys

By: David Balfour

Introduction

The Medical Board of California investigates physicians for potential violations of the Medical Practice Act. If an investigation results in findings of violations, the Board will refer the case to the Attorney General’s Office recommending the filing of an Accusation seeking disciplinary action against the physician’s license. The Medical Board must prove the grounds for discipline by clear and convincing evidence, investigations seek to demonstrate violations of the Medical Practice Act by that elevated standard.

In 2022-2023, the Medical Board received a total of 9,521 complaints. 1,080 of those complaints were referred for field investigation. Of those investigations, 448 were referred to the Attorney General’s Office for consideration of the filing of an Accusation. 230 Accusations and 108 Petitions to Revoke Probation were filed in fiscal year 2022-2023, and another 91 cases were awaiting the Attorney General’s filing of an Accusation following an investigation at the close of the fiscal year.

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