Seven Things To Know When You Receive A Notice Of Investigation From The Department Of Health

Resources and Documents

Florida State Documents and Information:

Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)

Decision by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) granting an application for an exemption from disqualification from employment in an AHCA-licensed facility (click to review)
Disqualification from employment and a Florida Medicaid Program letter sent out by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) because of prior arrests, to health professionals (doctors, nurses, dentists, mental health counselors, pharmacists, physical therapists, etc.) licensed by Florida. Immediate action should be taken to apply for an exception, starting with obtaining copies of all police reports and criminal court records. An experienced attorney can assist with the detailed exemption application.

Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Election of Rights Form (click to review)
This Election of Rights form is sent by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) with any denial letter when it denies an application, request, or petition for an exemption from disqualification from employment. If you wish to challenge AHCA’s denial of your request, you must file a request for a hearing. We recommend that it be a request for a formal hearing (Option 3 on the form) with the Agency Clerk of AHCA by 5:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time (EST), within twenty-one (21) days of the date of the denial. Remember, it must be actually received by the AHCA Clerk’s Office within twenty-one (21) days, so do not send it by regular mail and expect it to be received on time.

We also recommend that you send it by two different methods, at least one of which provides a return receipt (e.g., U.S. Express Mail, Federal Express overnight delivery, or UPS overnight delivery), as well as a backup copy by fax and/or U.S. mail. Also, remember that if you request a formal hearing, you must also submit a petition or letter that contains all of the information listed at the bottom of the form to comply with existing rules and laws.

Florida Attorney General

Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) Investigative Subpoena (click to review)
This document is a redacted investigative subpoena issued by the State of Florida, Office of the Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. The subpoena directs the recipient to appear before the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit or, alternatively, to comply by producing certified, legible copies of the requested records by the specified deadline. An investigative subpoena from the Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit should be treated seriously. As this document demonstrates, an MFCU investigation may involve extensive requests for patient records, billing and service documentation, employee records, and other business records.

Florida Department of Health (DOH) Documents

Healthcare Provider Regulatory Process Enforcement Process Flowchart (click to review)
This flowchart, flow diagram, disciplinary guideline, or algorithm was originally published by the Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) Division of the Florida Department of Health (DOH) in the early 2000s to better explain and illustrate the processing of disciplinary complaints against licensed health professionals in the State of Florida. It does a great job of showing the process. However, it does not contain the information on how long each step of the process can take. Some steps can take months or even years. The chart is a summary of the process that is required by state statutes, including the Florida Administrative Procedure Act (APA), Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. It is a useful guide to locate where your case is in the process.

Florida Emergency Suspension of the License of Alexis Backer Lawler, R.N., January 28, 2026 (click to review)
(Florida Department of Health vs. Alexis Backer Lawler, R.N., D.O.H. Case No. 2026-09960, entered January 28, 2026)
This is an Emergency Suspension Order issued by the Florida Department of Health (DOH) against a registered nurse, immediately suspending the individual’s nursing license due to allegations of unprofessional conduct in retaliation for her exercising her First Amendment right to make statements critical of the present administration on January 22, 2026. The order details findings related to inappropriate and offensive social media activity, including statements that allegedly raised concerns about patient safety, professional judgment, and the nurse’s ability to provide competent care. The document outlines the DOH’s factual findings, legal conclusions, and authority under Florida law to take emergency action to protect public health and safety. It also includes notice of the nurse’s right to judicial review and the initiation of formal disciplinary proceedings.

Guide to the MQA Disciplinary Process: Discretionary Emergency Orders – 3 Things to Know (click to review)
This Guide is published by the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and discusses Emergency Restriction Orders (EROs) and Emergency Suspension Orders (ESOs) issued against licensed health professionals like doctors, mental health counselors, dentists, nurse practitioners, and others. It only discusses the grounds for discretionary orders. There are many circumstances for which Florida law requires a mandatory emergency suspension or order. EROs and ESOs can be lifted if a properly supported, convincing petition to do so is filed. If not lifted, an ESO or ERO may be grounds for an emergency or expedited administrative hearing.

Form Documenting Completion of Clinical Rotation for Nursing Course from a Florida Nursing School (click to review)
This is a sample of what we consider to be excellent documentation from a legitimate, accredited Florida nursing school to document the actual completion of a valid clinical rotation for one nursing course. Please note that this firm did not create this form. We are just using it to demonstrate good documentation. Also, please note the following:
1. The name/location of the clinical site is provided.
2. The instructor/supervisor is named.
3. The course for which the clinical rotation was performed is specified.
4. The exact semester and year are specified.
5. Grades and comments on performance are assigned.
6. The instructor signs and dates the form.
7. The student signs and dates the form and should be given a copy for their own records.
8. Although the number of clinical rotation hours performed for this course are not included on this document (which we believe they should), they are stated on the actual grade transcript.

Florida Department of Health Notice of an Investigation for an Operation Nightingale Nursing School (click to review)
This is a sample notice from the Florida Department of Health (DOH) regarding an Operation Nightingale investigation. The Florida DOH notified a licensed registered nurse that it had opened an investigation based on information received from the FBI and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The DOH alleged that the nurse may have obtained a Florida nursing license through fraudulent misrepresentation by using a diploma or transcript associated with a nursing school identified in the Operation Nightingale investigation. The notice also advised that the DOH was investigating potential violations of Florida’s Nursing Practice Act and provided the nurse with an opportunity to submit a written response, participate in an interview, or voluntarily relinquish the nursing license. In many cases, the nurse has been defrauded by the owner and operator of the nursing school. However, that may not be of use to the nurse if the nursing school has submitted transcripts or diplomas with false information on them or if the school did not require the nurse to perform the correct number of hours of coursework or actual clinical rotations.

Nurses who receive a Department of Health investigative letter should respond carefully and seek experienced legal guidance before providing statements or documentation or appearing before hearings or committees.

Sample Adverse NPDB Report Incorrectly Made By Florida Department of Health (DOH) Based On Cease & Desist Notice for Unlicensed Practice of Health Profession and No Hearing Rights or Other Rights GIven (click to review)
This is a redacted copy of an actual adverse National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) report that it appears was incorrectly submitted against an individual by the Florida Department of Health (DOH). It is based on a single cease & desist (C&D) letter or “notice” sent to the individual making an unsubstantiated allegation of practicing a health care profession without the proper license. There was no other paper or document served with it.

There were no appeal rights, hearing rights, or notice of how to object to it or request a hearing on it that was provided. It is not an official action of the agency, as it is signed only by an investigator. There was no final agency order associated with it. Since it failed to advise of any penalty, any adverse action proposed or any right to contest it, or method of challenging it, it appears that the submission of such a report to the NPDB violates the Health Care Qaulity Improvement Act (HCQIA), Federal Regulations, and the NPDB Guide Book. It apperas to be completely improper and invalid. If properly contested, it should be removed or voided.

Our firm assists in such matters as required to respond to, contest, request an administrative hearing, or appeal such actions.

Guidelines for License Applicants on Prior Convictions From the Florida Department of Health (click to review)
These are guidelines directly from the Florida Department of Health (DOH’s) website accessed on September 4, 2026. We are providing these for information only, as this type of information is very difficult to locate and may not always be followed by DOH staff or the Boards themselves.

We recommend that you always check for the latest updates and, more importantly, that you consult with a health law attorney who has experience in defending license applications and appearing before the health professional boards and their credentials committees.

Florida Court Cases:

Fifth District Court of Appeals

Cent. Fla. Psych. Consultants, Inc. v. Comas, 51 Fla. L. Weekly D943 (Fla. 5th DCA May 8, 2026) (click to review)
In this decision by the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal, Comas and his wife got divorced. The legal proceedings surrounding timesharing with their children went on for years. During the
litigation, Saunders was a court-appointed psychologist ordered to provide the judge with a report and recommendations on a parenting plan. Comas, the husband, sued Saunders, claiming negligence in report preparation.

The Court of Appeal found that such acts are absolutely immune from negligence claims under the litigation privilege because they occur during and relate to judicial proceedings. The Court of Appeal reasoned that the litigation privilege has evolved to provide broad absolute immunity for the acts of such court-appointed experts related to judicial proceedings, not just defamatory statements. Adequate remedies exist for the aggrieved plaintiff husband to pursue through contempt power and disciplinary measures.

United States Court Cases:

United States ex rel. Senters v. Quest Diagnostics Inc., No. 24-12998 (click to review)
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a False Claims Act (FCA) qui tam lawsuit brought by former Quest Diagnostics compliance officer Barbara Senters. Senters alleged that Quest submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid for medically unnecessary laboratory tests included in custom testing panels.

The Eleventh Circuit found that Senters failed to provide sufficient facts showing that a representative claim involved medically unnecessary services or that a related certification was false. The court also found that access to billing records and knowledge of Quest’s billing practices did not, by themselves, satisfy the heightened pleading requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(b). The Eleventh Circuit therefore affirmed the dismissal of the case with prejudice. The decision provides a useful example for healthcare providers, laboratories, compliance professionals, and healthcare attorneys regarding the level of specificity required to plead False Claims Act allegations.

Federal Documents and Information:

Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS)

Sample of a Health Care Subpoena Issued From the Office of Inspector General (OIG) (click to review)
This is an example of a subpoena that the OIG issued while looking into a potential False Claims Act (FCA) case. You need a lawyer if you get one of these.

Decision From National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Voiding Adverse NPDB Report (click to review)
This is an example of the decision after a successful appeal of an adverse NPDB report, voiding that report and ordering it removed from the NPDB.

Sample Void Notice for Adverse NPDB Report (Report Removed From the NPDB) (click to review)
This is a sample of a National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Void Notice. It confirms that a previously submitted report was voided after the reporting entity determined that the underlying action did not meet NPDB reporting requirements. The report was subsequently removed from the NPDB. The NPDB also notifies organizations that received the report within the previous three years of its voiding. These entities are advised that the report has been voided and are directed to destroy all copies of it.

NPDB reports can have significant professional implications for physicians and other healthcare practitioners, making the accuracy and reportability of information submitted to the NPDB extremely important.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

FTC Identity Theft Victim’s Complaint and Affidavit (click to review)
The Identity Theft Victim’s Complaint and Affidavit is a voluntary form designed to help victims document and report identity theft. It may be used when filing a report with law enforcement and when disputing identity theft-related information with creditors and credit reporting agencies.

The form allows victims to identify fraudulent accounts, unauthorized credit inquiries, inaccurate personal information, and other misuse of their identity. It also provides sections for documenting suspected perpetrators, affected financial accounts, supporting identification, and law enforcement reports.

When appropriate, the completed affidavit may also be provided to companies where the victim’s information was misused as evidence that the victim is not responsible for the fraudulent activity.

Warning: Never send this form out in response to any telephone call, text message, e-mail or other request that comes to you. We recommend that you only mail it via U.S. mail or e-mail it to official e-mail addresses for the agencies that you have personally and independently researched and obtained online yourself.

Office of Inspector General (OIG)

Sample of an Office of Inspector General (OIG) Advisory Opinion, No. 21-18, November 17, 2021 (click to review)

This is a sample of a formal written response, an advisory opinion, from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) regarding whether a proposed business arrangement for the provision of therapy services violates federal fraud and abuse laws, particularly the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS).

OIG Removal From LEIE and Reinstatement of Eligibility for the Medicare Program (click to review)
This is a decision from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to grant an application from a doctor for removal from the List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) and to reinstate his/her eligibility to participate in the Medicare Program.

Sample of Office of Inspector General (OIG) Letter Giving Notice of Exclusion From Federal Health Care Programs (click to review)
This is a sample of an OIG exclusion notice imposing a mandatory five-year exclusion from participation in all federal healthcare programs on an individual and outlining the provider’s appeal and reinstatement rights. Some exclusions are mandatory and are for required periods of time. Others are “permissive” and are subject to arguing for a shorter time or no exclusion at all. In this letter, the OIG advised that no federal healthcare program payments could be made for services furnished, ordered, or prescribed by the excluded individual and that the exclusion would be reported to state licensing agencies and published on the OIG’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE).

It is extremely important to respond and appeal such decisions appropriately and within the period of time required, as the consequences can be devastating.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

Sample DOJ Memorandum: Limiting Use of Agency Guidance Documents In Affirmative Civil Enforcement Cases, January 25, 2018 (click to review)

Under the Guidance Policy, the Department may not issue guidance documents that purport to create rights or obligations binding on persons or entities outside the Executive Branch (including state, local, and tribal governments) or to create binding standards by which the Department will determine compliance with existing statutory or regulatory requirements.

Sample of a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) Issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (click to review)
This is a sample of a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking documents related to a federal False Claims Act (FCA) and Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) investigation involving healthcare provider referral and compensation arrangements. The demand also imposed strict deadlines and compliance requirements for the production of responsive materials. Providers who receive a subpoena, CID, or other government investigative request should act immediately to retain an experienced health law attorney to represent them in the matter.

Our attorneys routinely assist healthcare providers in responding to CIDs and False Claims Act/ whistleblower litigation.

Veterans Administration (VA)

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the DHHS and the VA (click to review)
This is the original Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or agreement in which the Veterans Administration (VA) originally agreed with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to participate in reporting matters to the National Practitioners Data Bank (NPDB), as civilian hospitals are required to do.

Department of Defense (DOD)/Defense Health Agency (DHA)

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD) (click to review)

This is the original Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Defense (DOD) that ensures the participation of the DOD in the national reporting system established under Part B of The Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 (the Act). These requirements and procedures have now been incorporated into DHA PM 6025-13, so it is now obsolete.

Notice of Summary Suspension of Clinical Privileges by Military Medical Treatment Facility (click to review)
This notice will be issued if a healthcare professional has their clinical privileges summarily suspended by their Military Medical Treatment Facility (MTF). It is important to note that if the suspension lasts 30 days or more (which is typically the case), it is reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), where the adverse report will remain for life. Therefore, it is urgent to retain an experienced health lawyer to work with you to attempt to have the suspension lifted before the 30 days, if at all possible.

Confidentiality Agreement Used by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and Military Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) (click to review)
This is a confidentiality agreement used by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and military medical treatment facilities (MTFs) to help ensure the confidentiality of any medical records, clinical privileging documents, or peer review documents released outside the agency.

Executive Summary of Department of Defense (DOD) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Report No. 98-168 (Project No. 7LH-0009), dated June 26, 1998 (“DOD Implementation of the National Practitioner Data Bank Guidelines”) (click to review)
This is a summary of the investigation by the Department of Defense (DOD) Office of Inspector General (OIG) of criticisms made regarding DOD’s failure to report or timing in making reports to the NPDB on various matters. It is included here for historic purposes.

Other:

A Pocket Guide to Florida’s Administrative Procedure Act (click to review)
This is a summary of your rights when dealing with any state agency under Florida’s Administrative Procedure Act. It is written and published by Florida’s Joint Administrative Procedures Committee and updated each year. Any major decision or action by any state agency, including the Department of Health (DOH), the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the Florida Medicaid Program, Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), or any of the state’s many professional licensing boards, is governed by this law. The attachment to it is a copy of the actual law, the Florida Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 120, Florida Statutes (2025). Always check to make sure you have and are using the latest version of the state law.

Joint Statement on Workplace Violence in Healthcare (click to review)

Office of Personnel Management

Sample of a Letter Debarring a Healthcare Professional From All Government Contracting Because of Being Excluded From Medicare (click to review)
This shows one of the consequences of being terminated from the Medicare Program or being placed on the LEIE. You will also be placed on the System for Award Management (SAM) exclusion or debarment list maintained by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. You will also be prohibited from all U.S. government contracting or employment activities.

Certification Boards:

American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)

Notice of Potential Disciplinary Sanction From American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) (click to review)
This is a sample of the type of letter the ABIM may send out to test takers, whether they are already board certified or not, notifying them of being suspected of cheating, irregular behavior, sharing information from an actual examination, misconduct or other violation of its rules and policies. This is a very serious matter that can lead to drastic adverse actions affecting your job, clinical privileges and career. We routinely assist physicians in preparing and submitting responses, obtaining hearings, or otherwise defending against such accusations.

Sample Letter From the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Granting One-Year Extension of Board Eligibility Period to Take Certification Exam (click to review)
This is a sample of a letter from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) granting a one-time, one-year extension of board eligibility and permitting registration for the next annual Internal Medicine Certification Examination. ABIM noted that its Board Eligibility Policy generally limits physicians to a seven-year period of eligibility following completion of training requirements. Once that period expires, additional accredited training is typically required before a physician may again become eligible to sit for the certification examination. In this case, however, ABIM exercised its discretion and approved an exception based on the circumstances presented. Our firm routinely assists physicians in applying for such extensions of time, which are usually granted based on documented hardships the physician faced that prohibited them from taking the exam.

Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)

Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Notice of Alleged Violation (click to review)
This redacted document provides an example of a Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Notice of Alleged Violation issued to a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) facing an ethics complaint. The accompanying correspondence further shows that a BACB credential may be placed on involuntary inactive status while an ethics matter is pending. During that period, an RBT may face restrictions on representing themselves as an RBT, providing or billing for services under the credential, and performing certain assessment or training functions. This document is a useful resource for RBTs, BCBAs, BCaBAs, and behavior analysts seeking to understand the potential seriousness of a BACB ethics complaint and the importance of preparing a timely, well-supported response to a Notice of Alleged Violation.

Private Organizations:

Florida Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN)

PRN Notice of Privacy Practices (click to review)
This document explains the privacy practices of Professionals Resource Network, Inc. (PRN), which operates Florida’s impaired practitioner program for physicians and other healthcare professionals. It describes how certain substance use disorder records are protected under federal law, including 42 C.F.R. Part 2, and explains when PRN may use or disclose confidential information with or without a practitioner’s consent.

The notice also outlines practitioners’ rights regarding their PRN records, including certain rights to restrict disclosures, obtain an accounting of disclosures, revoke consent where permitted, and file a complaint concerning potential privacy violations.

This is a sample that was in use on September 22, 2026. Always check with the organization for the latest version.

Sample Professionals Resource Network (PRN) Consent to Release Confidential Information (click to review)
This document is a sample of the Professionals Resource Network (PRN) Consent to Release Confidential Information form for Florida healthcare practitioners participating in the state’s impaired practitioner program. It authorizes PRN to disclose confidential evaluation, treatment, monitoring, medical, psychiatric, and substance use disorder records to the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and applicable licensing boards under certain circumstances.

The form also explains when PRN is required to report information to the DOH, including when a practitioner is terminated from the program for noncompliance or when an impairment presents an immediate, serious danger to public health, safety, or welfare. Such disclosures may lead to a DOH or licensing board investigation or administrative proceeding against your license.

This form was in use on September 22, 2026. Always check directly with the organization for the latest version.

E-FORCSE Authorization for Impaired Practitioner Consultant (PRN or IPN) Access (click to review)
This document is a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (E-FORCSE) authorization form used by individuals referred to or participating in an approved impaired practitioner program, in Florida, the professionals Resource Network (PRN) or the Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN). The form allows an authorized Impaired Practitioner Consultant (IPC) to access and review the individual’s information in the E-FORCSE prescription drug monitoring database.

The authorization must be signed and dated by both the individual and the IPC requesting access. The document also states that authorization may be rescinded in writing at any time and that granting E-FORCSE access is not required to be evaluated or monitored in the impaired practitioner program.

PRN Refrain from Practice Notice (Sample in Use as of Sept. 22, 2026) (click to review)
This document is a sample of a Professionals Resource Network (PRN) Refrain from Practice Notice issued to a Florida healthcare practitioner participating in the state’s Impaired Practitioner Program. It explains that PRN may restrict or prohibit a practitioner from practicing as a condition of continued participation in the program and that the restriction remains in effect until PRN lifts it in writing.

The notice also explains that practicing while under a PRN refrainment may require PRN to refer the practitioner to the Florida Department of Health (DOH) or Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) within one business day.

This notice is usually issued if you sign an agreement with PRN to utilize its services. An annotation may be placed on your public online license profile that shows you have been refrained from practice in Florida.

Florida Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN) Agreement to Withdraw (Refrain) from Practice (click to review)
This is the form that the Florida Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN) requires a nurse to sign in most cases when that nurse reports themself to IPN and seeks its assistance. This is the version in effect as of Sept. 4, 2026. Always check for the latest version. When signed, this agreement has the effect of a contract and is legally binding. Usually, a notice is placed on the nurse’s online license maintained by the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to the effect that the nurse has agreed to refrain from practice in Florida.

The Joint Commission

Behaviors That Undermine a Culture of Safety (click to review)
(Note: This is a complimentary publication of The Joint Commission, Sentinel Event Alert Issue 40, July 9, 2008. Updated: June 18. 2021)
Published for Joint Commission-accredited organizations and interested health care professionals, Sentinel Event Alert identifies specific types of sentinel events, describes their common underlying causes, and suggests steps to prevent occurrences in the future.

United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Secretariat & National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)

USMLE CIR Personal Statement Submission Guidelines, February 2026 (click to review)
This document outlines the submission requirements for a personal statement to the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Committee for Individualized Review (CIR). While submission is optional, the guidelines specify that any personal statement must be directly relevant to the allegations, limited to 20 pages, and submitted as a single PDF document by the designated deadline. The document also emphasizes that all materials provided will be reviewed and verified for authenticity by the USMLE. Adhering to these formatting, content, and submission requirements is essential to ensure that the CIR considers the statement during its review process.

USMLE 2026 Bulletin of Information (BOI) (click to review)

(United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), a Joint Program of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc., and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), August 7, 2025, 2026 Bulletin of Information)
This document includes information on all aspects of USMLE, such as eligibility requirements, scheduling test dates, testing, and score reporting. You must review and become familiar with the Bulletin before completing your application for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, or Step 3.

Important Updates to United States Medical Licensing (USMLE) Policies and Procedures Regarding Irregular Behavior, September 2025 (click to review)

The United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) program has updated its Policies and Procedures regarding irregular behavior. These updates are now in effect as of January 15, 2026, in accordance with the USMLE Bulletin of Information (BOI) requirement. Examinees are encouraged to review these updates to understand what constitutes irregular behavior and how the USMLE works to support exam integrity.

Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Statement on Invalidation of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Examination Scores (click to review)

Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), January 31, 2024, Statement on Invalidation of USMLE® Examination Scores, [Press Release]

Sample Determination Letter From the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Secretariat Regarding Allegations of Irregular Behavior (click to review)
This is a sample of a decision letter from the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Secretariat deciding largely in favor of the international medical graduate applicant after accusations of irregular behavior by providing false information on their application. No adverse action was taken other than to place an annotation of the irregular behavior on the physician’s USMLE record. This outcome highlights the importance of experienced legal representation when responding to allegations of irregular behavior.

Sample Determination Letter From the Educational Commission for Foreign Graduates (ECFMG) Regarding Allegations of Irregular Behavior (click to review)
This is a sample decision letter that ECFMG sent, verifying the dismissal of irregular behavior charges. The physician, an international or foreign medical graduate, was cleared to continue the ECFMG certification process and remained eligible to apply for USMLE examinations after our firm represented him/her in the case.

This outcome demonstrates the importance of obtaining experienced legal representation when responding to ECFMG investigations, USMLE irregular behavior allegations, credentialing disputes, or other matters that may threaten a healthcare professional’s ability to practice medicine.

Publications By Our Attorneys:

Publications by Lance O. Leider, LL.M., J.D.

HIPAA Fines, Mobile Devices and Risk Assessments: Follow the Steps or Pay the Price
(Note: This article was originally published in Facts & Findings, March/April 2015) by Lance O. Leider, LL.M., J.D.

Publications by Amanda I. Forbes, J.D.

Autism and Access to Healthcare
(Note: This article was originally published in the Mitchell Hamline Law Journal of Public Policy and Practice: Vol. 45: Iss. 1, Article 2. 2024) by Amanda I. Forbes, J.D.

Publications by Michael L. Smith, R.R.T., J.D.

Telehealth in Respiratory Care
(Note: This article was originally published in Advance for Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine) by Michael L. Smith, R.R.T., J.D.

Healthcare Compliance: An Overview of the Basics for Organizations and Providers
(Note: This article was originally published in Advance for Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine) by Michael L. Smith, R.R.T., J.D.

$800,000 for Medical Record Dumping