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Released: January 17, 2006
Help Desk FAQ
Health Care/Medical
How can I find out more about my doctor’s background?
Information on doctors who have been subject to disciplinary actions can be found online for free at the Docfinder site. Docfinder, run by Administrators In Medicine (AIM), culls its data from state government licensing boards and offers the public access to it free of charge. If available, you will find licensing and disciplinary information for physicians and other health care practitioners, along with information on medical malpractice, hospital discipline and criminal conviction information from states with Physician Profile Laws, such as Massachusetts.
In addition, many states have phone numbers or web sites that allow you to check whether or not a doctor's license to practice medicine is current. To find your state's medical board, visit the Federation of State Medical Boards and click on Public Services.
Check your local phone directory for local medical societies. Don't forget that you can ask your health plan for information about the education, licensing and certifications of doctors in its network.
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