Consumer Information

Colorado.gov

Frequently Asked Questions about the Medical Board and physician regulation	Consumer Guide to filing a complaint with the Medical Board
Information about Board Actions taken against physicians and physician assistants	Use Registrations Online Documents (ROD) to obtain a copy of a Board Action document
Monthly Board Action Summary	Download the Medical Board's Complaint Form
Board Action Statistics	Links to Consumer Information Organizations
Online License Verification (search for a physician or physician assistant)	Download a List of Licensed Physicians and/or Physician Assistants

Frequently Asked Questions about the Medical Board and physician regulation

How do I file a complaint against a physician or physician assistant?

Visit this web page to obtain information regarding filing a complaint against a physician or a physician assistant.

How do I check to see if my physician or physician assistant has had discipline?

Search the Automated Licensure Information System Online (ALISON). Or for a monthly list of physicians who have had action taken against their license by the Board, visit this web page.

My doctor's office said my insurance would pay for a certain procedure so I had it done. Now my insurance won't pay. Can the Board make the doctor's office stop billing me?

Covered procedures are determined by the contract that the patient has with the insurance company. Patients should check their benefits brochure or contact the insurance company in advance to determine whether or not specific procedures will be covered. Do not rely solely on information provided by the physician's office. Patients have the ultimate responsibility to know what their insurance company will cover. The Medical Board is not allowed to intervene in insurance or billing issues and cannot instruct a physician to stop billing a patient or write off an outstanding debt.

What can the Board do if I think the physician's bill is too high?

First, ask what the physician's charges will be before your visit or procedure occurs. While most physicians accept assignment from insurance companies (i.e., they accept what the insurance company will pay), physicians may charge whatever fee they feel is appropriate. This is strictly a business decision on the part of the physician's medical practice. Second, contact the physician's office. Mistakes can happen, and there may be an error in the billing that can be cleared up with a phone call or a letter.

Please note that the Medical Board is charged only with addressing quality of care issues, and is prohibited from reviewing billing and insurance complaints. The Medical Practice Act allows the Board to become involved only when the allegation is raised that a physician may have fraudulently billed an insurance company.

Is it possible to get a copy of a Board action taken against a physician?

Yes. Board actions taken against physicians are public information. You must provide a written request to the Board listing the name(s) of the physician(s) about whom you are inquiring. Your name and address must be included in order for the Board to mail you the requested documents.

Can you fax me a copy of the Board's actions?

The Medical Board does not fax disciplinary action documents, but rather mails them because most are lengthy. Please allow approximately 5-10 business days upon receipt in the Board office for processing of your request.

Requests for copies of Board actions may be directed to Tina McCray (Tina.McCray@dora.state.co.us) or may be mailed to the Board at the address below.

How do I get a list of doctors licensed in a particular area of the state?

A list of all licensed physicians can be downloaded from our website.

How can I verify if a physician is board certified?

The Medical Board does not track board certification because it is not a requirement for licensure; however, you may check with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to determine if a physician is Board certified through ABMS. Please call (800) 776-2378. The ABMS website may be found at www.abms.org. If the physician is a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.), the physician may be Board certified by either the ABMS or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). You may contact the AOA Member Services Center at 1-800-621-1773 and select option 1 in the menu to determine if a D.O. is Board certified by the AOA.

How many family practice doctors are there in Colorado?

Every two years when physicians renew their licenses, most complete a survey from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, SEARCH Office. This office compiles statistics regarding physicians and may be contacted at (303) 724-0337.

Consumer Information Organizations