Statement in Support of COVID-19 Vaccination
Posted: 3/8/2021 - State Board of Medicine encourages Pennsylvanians to stay informed and get vaccinated against COVID-19 when they are eligible.
State Board of Medicine
State Board of Medicine Licensure Guide & Timeline
The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) received reports that persons pretending to be from the State Board of Medicine are contacting licensees by phone and mail about the status of their licenses. The scammers are altering their information that shows on caller ID to appear to be from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the Board phone number (“spoofing”) and have also forged Department of State letterhead. The scammers are threatening license suspension for failure to act and falsely claiming involvement with federal agencies such as the FBI and DEA. The scammers are known to aggressively threaten license suspension for a failure to provide requested personal information or when asked for a phone number where they can be reached.
BPOA reminds licensees and applicants of the following:
- We will NOT contact you by phone to request credit card payment, wire transfer or a money order.
- We will NEVER request payment be wired or otherwise transferred to a foreign country.
- Do NOT give your personal or financial information over the phone, text message or fax, including your zip code.
- BPOA will NOT threaten you. The Department initiates disciplinary action through an administrative process. If you are the subject of an investigation or disciplinary action, you will receive notice by certified mail and/or personal service.
- We WILL provide you with a contact name and phone number if you are the subject of an investigation or disciplinary action.
- CONTACT your local police department or the Pennsylvania State Police if you believe you have been the victim of a scam.
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***New Scam Alert—Health Care Provider Offices Targeted***
It has come to the
attention of the State Board of Medicine that a health care provider received
facsimile requests for patient records from a source posing as another health
care provider. The facsimiles contained the names and dates of birth of
actual patients of the receiving provider; however, the following red flags
were identified and may be indicative of a scam:
- The record requests did not comply with the HIPAA core elements of a valid authorization including: a meaningful description of the information to be disclosed, the name or other identification of the recipient of the information, an expiration date or an expiration event that relates to the individual, and the signature of the individual or their personal representative and the date.
- The return fax number is not the actual fax number of the provider on the letterhead.
- The fax cover sheet did not provide any to/from information or the address and phone number of the requestor.
- The patients never requested records to be sent somewhere else.
The Board reminds all licensees to be cautious when responding to communications that seek health, personal, financial or other sensitive information.
The State Board of Medicine regulates the practice of medicine through the licensure, registration and certification of members of the medical profession in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Board regulates medical doctors; physician assistants; radiology technicians; respiratory therapists; nurse-midwives; acupuncturists; practitioners of oriental medicine; perfusionists; behavioral specialists; and athletic trainers. The Board also has authority take disciplinary or corrective action against individuals it regulates.
The Board periodically reviews the character of the instruction and the facilities possessed by each of the medical colleges and other medical training facilities offering or desiring to offer medical training in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth. The Board also reviews the facilities and qualifications of medical colleges and other medical facilities outside the Commonwealth whose trainees or graduates desire to obtain licensure, certification or graduate medical training in the Commonwealth.
Please note that neither the Board/Commission, nor its staff or counsel, are permitted to provide legal advice or advisory opinions, including interpretations of the law or regulations, or any indication as to how the Board would vote on any given case or scenario. You are invited to contact a private attorney or professional organization for advice or guidance.