Va Doctor's Credentials

[Berta]

I have tried two sites in this state that provide license numbers for NYS doctors.

I tried many VA doctors I have know or dealt with and their license number popped right up.

However the VA "expert" doctor who rendered an awful opinion on my claim in December (which Dr. Bash completely demolished last month) does not appear to have a license number recorded.

I used the OPMC -Office of Professional Conduct in New York and also they referred me to

NYS Educational Dept -Division of Professional Licensing Services.

Nothing turned up at all for the doctor who wrote this report in my Dec 2005 SSOC.

Does anyone have any idea where else I could attempt to get a VA physician's license number?

I sure hope this doc isn't a wannabee-

When Michael Swango murdered 4 VA patients do any of you recall if his credentials had been questionsed by the VA? It seems they checked that he had a medical license but never checked to see he had any criminal convictions.

http://www.va.gov/oig/51/press2000/Swango-pr.htm

All in all Swango was a serial killer and they believe he killed at least 35 people.

This is an interesting study from GAO- it is regarding Physician credentially in the VA system.

The report makes the point that-had Swango been fingerprinted by VA (I was, as volunteer, and my husband was for employment there-so I wonder how Swango got out of a background check) they could have avoided his causing the deaths of 4 veterans.

[Josephine]

Berta,

I looked this up for you. I will post it in the event it will help someone. There are several links to it with lots of information about doctors, license and etc.

http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/opmc/fraud.htm

Josephine

[Patrick428]

In 1980s, the VA ruled that no physician, psychologist, social worker, or any other licensed professional can practice in the VA without a license. They are no longer exempt as it once was many years ago. All states in which the professional practices has jurisdiction over all licensed professionals regardless of where they work. Just because they work for the VA does not exempt them. In some instances such as Interns and post-doctoral people in mental health, each state provides a Provisional license until such time as they meet the Board reqiurements to practice independently.

The reason being is that all physicians can prescribe medications and all physicians must obtain a DEA certificate to prescribe controlled subastances. No physician can obtain a DEA certificate without being licensed and in good standing. Nor can they prescribe medications of any kind without being licensed.

If you want to check out any doctor, clinic, or hospital with a DEA certification, then go to this website:

http://www.dealookup.com/home.asp

Patrick

[vaf]

It's also a good idea to go to your State Board of Medical Examiners website, find your healthcare practitioner's name, and determine whether that person's medical license has been renewed or has expired.

We found a resident who conducted a C & P examination on a veteran while on a rotation at the VAMC had an expired license.

You bet we used that in the appeal, that guy wasn't supposed to be practicing without it, and he had let it go. It's amazing that they would pay more attention to when their driver's license expires than they would to when their medical license expires.