Iowa Board of Medicine

1. You will need to complete the permanent application. Some things will need to be repeated such as the fingerprint card and waiver. Documents that won't change such as diplomas, post-graduate training verifications, medical education verification, medical transcripts, and any accompanying English translations will not need to be resubmitted if they are in your previous application. Any verifications that can change i.e. license and hospital verifications, will need to be redone.

2. Yes, you still need to fill out the Iowa Board of Medicine application found on our website at www.medicalboard.iowa.gov. Click on Forms, and then "Permanent Application Packet".

3. FCVS only collects what are called "core credentials". These are the documents that will not change such as those listed in number 1 above. You will need to request license verifications, hospital privilege verifications, submit copies of specialty board certificates, etc. If you follow the checklist enclosed with the application packet, it will tell you specifically which items you need to do and which items FCVS will do.

4. There are several ways to change your address. You can use the change of address form found on our web site. It is found under the A-Z listings, Services, and on the page where you can also print applications or other forms. You may email your address change by clicking here. You may also call our office at 515-281-6641.

5. If your wall certificate is lost or destroyed, you may receive a duplicate by sending in a written explanation/request and a $25 duplicate fee to the Iowa Board of Medicine. A duplicate wall certificate will be issued with "Duplicate" stamped on it and sent to you.

6. If you need a duplicate renewal card due to an address change or loss, you may receive a duplicate by sending in a written explanation/request and a $25 duplicate fee to the Iowa Board of Medicine. The duplicate renewal card will be sent to you.

7. Typically, the processing time is 45 - 60 days, however, there are situations which will make the process longer. For example, an incomplete application, waiting for documents to arrive, and lack of cooperation from the physician with the process can make the process cumbersome. Also, some applications will need to be approved by the Licensure Committee/Board. The Board holds its meetings every 6-8 weeks.

8. For a complete list of statuses and their meanings, click here.

9. If you cannot remember your password for the online renewal, simply backup to the first question that asks, "Are you already an online user?" and answer "No". The system will then prompt you to make up a new password.

10. Since your license has been inactive for more than one year you will need to reinstate your license. The application can be found on our website at www.medicalboard.iowa.gov. Go to Forms and look for the link that says, “Reinstatement Application Packet”. You will want to click on this link and print off the entire packet of information. Everything you need to reinstate your license will be there.

11. If you do not renew your license before the end of your grace period, you will have to reinstate your license. You will need to contact our office at 515-281-5499 to receive the reinstatement application.

12. To request a Letter of Good Standing, send in a written request letting us know where you need the letter sent and include the address. There is also a $40 fee for this service. You will need to include a check or money order made out to Iowa Board of Medicine. We do not accept credit cards at this time.

13. In order to obtain your Iowa Controlled Substance Registration number, you need to contact the Iowa Board of Pharmacy. Their phone number is 515-281-5944. Their web site is http://www.state.ia.us/ibpe.

14. You are required to have 40 hours of category 1 continuing medical education hours per renewal period. Your first renewal CME may be pro-rated if you did not have the license for 24 months when issued. If you report more than 40 hours, you are allowed to carry over up to 20 hours.

15. To get a paper renewal application you may go to our web site and request a renewal application. You will find the request form by clicking on Services, and then on Forms. You may also call our office at 515-281-6641 and request a paper application.

16. No. When verifying licenses from other states in order to obtain Iowa licensure, the verification must come directly from that state Board. Printouts from the internet are not acceptable.

17. Yes. The Administrative Rules state that "failure of the licensee to receive the notice does not relieve the licensee of responsibility for renewing the license."

18. You will need to submit a notarized or certified copy of a legal document such as a marriage license or divorce decree showing your new legal name. A plain copy will not be accepted.

19. A new wall certificate is not issued when a name change occurs. If you need a new renewal card in your new name, you will need to submit a written request asking for a new renewal card and submit a $25 duplilcate fee with the request. The new renewal card will be sent to you.

20. Whenever you apply for a different license type you must do the fingerprinting again. Another reason you may be asked to do the fingerprinting again is that the first set was unreadable and rejected by the FBI.

21.If the agency doing the prints can only print to their card, we will accept it. The card must be an ‘applicant’ card with a blue or black grid. We will apply our stamps upon receipt. The card must come directly to this office from the agency that did the prints and we will forward them to the DCI. The card cannot be sent directly to the FBI.

COMPLIANCE

1. You may be able to find your doctor by using "Find a Physician". Click here to link to "Find a Physician". If you are unable to find the physician and the care was provided years ago, the records may have been destroyed. The Board requires a physician to retain all medical records, not appropriately transferred to another physician or entity, for at least seven years from the last date of service for each patient, except as otherwise required by law. Children's records are somewhat different in that the period of retention must be consistent with that established by Iowa Code section 614.9.

2. A physician incurs costs in storing and duplicating records and may charge a reasonable fee for copies of your medical records.

3. A physician may not withhold your medical records because you have not paid your bill.

4. The Board requires a physician to retain all medical records, not appropriately transferred to another physician or entity, for at least seven years from the last date of service for each patient, except as otherwise required by law. Children's records are somewhat different in that the period of retention must be consistent with that established by Iowa Code section 614.9.

5. A physician is not obligated to provide any particular treatment, such as a particular type of pain medicine, if the physician does not find it medically appropriate.

6. A physician may choose which patients to serve. If your physician no longer wants to provide care for you, he or she should provide you with written notice 30 days before terminating your care. Your physician should ensure that emergency medical care is available to you during the 30-day period following the written notice. This does not mean that he or she must provide the care himself or herself.

7. A physician may choose which patients to serve.

8. If the procedure was done in a hospital, ask the hospital to have your record of the procedure copied for the requesting physician. Otherwise, you need to explain to the requesting physician that the records no longer exist.

9. Answer to be posted soon.

10. If you think your doctor has overcharged you, try to work out the problem with the physician's or clinic's billing office. If you have no satisfaction there, speak to the physician or clinic manager directly about your concerns. Acting in a hostile or aggressive manner will not assist in getting the problem resolved. You may file a complaint with the Board of Medicine, but the Board does not generally handle these complaints unless it sees a pattern of billing problems arising.

11. The Board of Medicine handles complaints about M.D.s, D.O.s, and licensed acupuncturists. Complaints about hospitals can be made to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals or the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Hospitals. Complaints about clinics can be made to clinic administration.

12. Most physicians make every effort to get along with their patients and other staff. Sometimes patients misinterpret a physician's response as being "rude" and other times physicians are having a bad day. If you are offended by your physician's behavior and you can't work out your differences, find another physician to whom you are more suited. If you find the rudeness more extreme, you may file a complaint with the Board. The Board does not generally handle these complaints unless it sees a patter of rudeness is arising.

13. Yes. Most offices attempt to bill in a timely manner. However, on occasion, billing occurs for procedures carried out some time ago. If the procedure was conducted and the bill is accurate, you are obligated to pay even if it is more than a year old since the procedure.

14. Investigations take months or longer depending on the case and the size of the investigator's caseload. It can take months just to gather the pertinent clinic and hospital records, talk to witnesses and get a response from your physician. Cases that question a physician's competency involve physician experts in the same specialty as your doctor reviewing the investigative materials to see if the standard of care was met and then writing a report for the Board. Other times, there is sufficient evidence to send a physician for a confidential evaluation of the physician's competency or health. All of these things can occur before a case is closed or ordered to hearing - actions which are public.

15. Iowa law requires malpractice insurance companies to inform the Board when a suit has been filed on an Iowa licensed physician. A physician is required to notify the Board of a suit on a renewal application. In addition, a physician must report adverse actions to the Board within 30 days of a settlement or judgment. This information is confidential and cannot be shared with the public unless it becomes part of Board charges against a physician.

MISCELLANEOUS

1. The Board meets approximately every eight weeks. Meetings are usually held at the Board office in Des Moines. Conference calls are held to handle some types of business between regularly scheduled in-person meetings.

2. The Board has ten members who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Iowa Senate. If you are not an M.D. or D.O., you may be eligible to serve as one of the three public members of the Board. The Board has five M.D.s and two D.O.s at any one time. For more information on how to seek appointment, address your questions to the Governor's Office at 515-281-0215.

3. If you would like to receive agendas free via e-mail for all Board meetings, click here to make a request.

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