Before visiting a doctor it is important to do some research
first. Ask friends and family for recommendations or your current
physician. Also, some area hospitals offer referral services. In
addition, insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, and
managed care plans usually have a panel of physicians from which to
select.
After obtaining the names of possible doctors, check to make sure that
they are properly licensed and have clear records. You can find out
this information from two New York state agencies, the Department of
Education and the Department of Health. Doctors are licensed by the
Department of Education, but any disciplinary action that must be taken
against them is taken by the Department of Health.
Your Rights as a Patient
1. Doctors must show you your medical records and X-rays at any time at your request.
2. Doctors may not reveal personal information about you without your consent except as required by law.
3. Doctors may not order you to receive excessive tests or treatments.
To check if a doctor has a currently valid license, you can check with the Department of Education in the following ways:
-
Write to:
New York State Education Department
Office of the Professions
Education Building – 2nd Floor
Albany NY 12234
- Call 518-474-3817 or 212-417-4000 (General Information)
- Search the database on the World Wide Web at www.nysed.gov/prof/profhome.htm
You must have the full name of the doctor in order to search for the license.
To find out what disciplinary actions have been taken against a
doctor, you may contact the Department of Health, Office of
Professional Medical Conduct. They can be reached in the following
ways:
-
Write to:
New York State Department of Health
Office of Professional Medical Conduct
433 River Street, Suite 303
Troy, New York 12180-2299
- Call 800-663-6114
- Search the database on the World Wide Web at www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/opmc/main.htm
Complaining about Your Doctor
If you have a malpractice complaint against a doctor, write a letter to
the New York State Department of Health, Office of Professional Medical
Conduct, 433 River Street, Suite 303, Troy, New York 12180-2299, or
call 800-663-6114 or 518-402-0836. You may also visit the Department of
Health website at
www.health.state.ny.us
to find out what practices qualify as misconduct (this does not include
psychologists, or medical specialists such as optometrists and
podiatrists).
For more information on doctors you may contact your local County Medical Society in the following areas:
Bronx Medical Society, Inc.
(718) 548-4401
Medical Society of the County of Kings, Inc.
(718) 596-4406
Nassau County Medical Society, Inc.
(516) 832-2301
New York County Medical Society
(212) 684-4741
Putnam County Medical Society
(914) 241-2526
Medical Society of the County of Queens, Inc.
(718) 268-6918
Suffolk County Medical Society Inc.
(631) 851-1212
Medical Society of the County of Westchester, Inc.
(914) 967-9232
Checking Out Your DentistBefore visiting a dentist it
is important to do some research first. Ask friends and family for
recommendations or your current dentist. Also, insurance companies,
health maintenance organizations, and managed care plans usually have a
panel of dentists from which to select.
After obtaining the names of a few dentists, you should make sure that
they have the proper licenses and a clear record. You can find out this
information from the New York State Department of Education, the agency
that licenses and disciplines dentists.
Dentists and dental hygienists must be licensed by the Board of Regents
in New York State. They may only perform the following services:
-
Apply cavity-preventing agents to your teeth
- Counsel you on the importance of good nutrition
- Review your health history, take your blood pressure, and maintain your dental chart
- Remove tartar from your teeth and gums
For other oral procedures such as root canals and disease
treatment, you must see a specialist, which your current dentist can
recommend.
To check if a dentist has a currently valid license, you can check with the Department of Education in the following ways:
-
Write to:
New York State Education Department
Office of the Professions
Education Building – 2nd Floor
Albany NY 12234
- Call 518-474-3817 ext. 330 or 212-417-4000 (General Information)
- Search the database on the World Wide Web at www.nysed.gov/prof/profhome.htm
You must have the full name of the dentist in order to search for the license.
You can also find out if a dentist has had any kind of legal action
taken against him or her by the Department of Education. To get a full
copy of the actions taken against a dentist, you must send a written
request that includes the name, profession and license number of the
person to the New York State Education Department, Division of
Professional Licensing Services, Room 3045, Cultural Education Center,
Albany NY 12234. You will be billed $.25 per page for the legal
records.
Complaining about your dentist
If you have a malpractice complaint against a dentist,
psychologist, or other medical specialist (optometrist, podiatrist,
etc.), write a letter to the Office of Professional Discipline, 475
Park Avenue South, Second Floor, New York, NY 10016-6901, or call
800-442-8106.