Home > For Consumers > Frequently Asked Questions for Consumers

Frequently Asked Questions for Consumers

Disclaimer: Any and all statements herein should not be construed as official policy or positions of the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners (Georgia Medical Board). The information is merely provided on our web page by Board staff for general guidance to the citizens of Georgia and users of our web site. No individual staff member is authorized to provide a binding opinion or statement for the full Board. Nothing herein should be construed as legal advice or as a legal opinion for any particular situation. Refer to the Rules and Laws of the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners and consult an attorney of your choice for clarification.

Are complaints and investigations public information?

Can my doctor charge me for a copy of my medical records?

Can my physician terminate my care or discontinue seeing me?

Do medical records belong to the patient?

How do I file a complaint against a doctor or hospital?

How do I find out if my doctor has ever been sued for malpractice?

How do I find out where a physician carries hospital privileges and other state licenses?

How do I obtain a copy of my medical records from my physician or a hospital?

I am considering legal action against my physician; Will the Georgia Medical Board give me a legal opinion on my case?

I need a doctor. Will the Georgia Medical Board refer me to a physician?

Is a physician required to have a nurse or someone else present when performing a gynecological examination on a patient? Do I have the right to request a chaperone?

Is there a difference between the Georgia Medical Board and the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners?

My doctor has a public board order. Does this mean the Georgia Medical Board considers my doctor a "bad" doctor?

My doctor is no longer in practice, (or my doctor is deceased). How do I obtain a copy of my medical records under these circumstances?

My doctor was rude, What should I do?

My insurance company won't pay the bill, now the doctor is billing me! Can the Medical Board stop the doctor from billing me or sending my account to a collection agency?

What action can the Board take?

What are my responsibilities as a health care consumer?

What are the duties and responsibilites of the Georgia Medical Board?

What can the Georgia Medical Board do if I think the doctor has charged me too much?

What complaints DO NOT fall within the Board's jurisdiction?

What complaints are within the Board's jurisdiction?

What does it mean if a physician's license status is listed as Probation, Suspension or Revocation?

What is a Public Board Order? What does it mean?

What is the difference between a D.O and an M.D.? Does Georgia differentiate in the type of license granted to a D.O. and an M.D.?

What is unprofessional conduct?

Will I be told the status of my complaint?