Subdivision 1.Permission to report.

A person who has knowledge of any conduct constituting grounds for discipline under sections 147.01 to 147.22 may report the violation to the board.

Subd. 2.Institutions.

Ask a business law question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified business lawyers.
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Any hospital, clinic, prepaid medical plan, or other health care institution or organization located in this state shall report to the board any action taken by the institution or organization or any of its administrators or medical or other committees to revoke, suspend, restrict, or condition a physician’s privilege to practice or treat patients in the institution, or as part of the organization, any denial of privileges, or any other disciplinary action. The institution or organization shall also report the resignation of any physicians prior to the conclusion of any disciplinary proceeding, or prior to the commencement of formal charges but after the physician had knowledge that formal charges were contemplated or in preparation. Each report made under this subdivision must state the nature of the action taken, state in detail the reasons for the action, and identify the specific patient medical records upon which the action was based. No report shall be required of a physician voluntarily limiting the practice of the physician at a hospital provided that the physician notifies all hospitals at which the physician has privileges of the voluntary limitation and the reasons for it.

Subd. 3.Medical societies.

A state or local medical society shall report to the board any termination, revocation, or suspension of membership or any other disciplinary action taken against a physician. If the society has received a complaint which might be grounds for discipline under sections 147.01 to 147.22 against a member physician on which it has not taken any disciplinary action, the society shall report the complaint and the reason why it has not taken action on it or shall direct the complainant to the Board of Medical Practice. This subdivision does not apply to a medical society when it performs peer review functions as an agent of an outside entity, organization, or system.

Subd. 4.Licensed professionals.

A licensed health professional and persons holding a residency permit under section 147.0391, shall report to the board personal knowledge of any conduct which the person reasonably believes constitutes grounds for disciplinary action under sections 147.01 to 147.22 by any physician or person holding a residency permit under section 147.0391, including any conduct indicating that the person may be medically incompetent, or may have engaged in unprofessional conduct or may be medically or physically unable to engage safely in the practice of medicine. A licensed physician or other health professional licensed under this chapter shall also report to the board any occurrence of any adverse reaction resulting from an optometrist’s prescription, use, or administration of any legend drug. Any reports received by the board must be reported to the Board of Optometry. No report shall be required if the information was obtained in the course of a physician-patient relationship if the patient is a physician or person holding a residency permit under section 147.0391, and the treating physician successfully counsels the person to limit or withdraw from practice to the extent required by the impairment.

Subd. 5.Insurers and other entities.

(a) Four times each year as prescribed by the board, each insurer authorized to sell insurance described in section 60A.06, subdivision 1, clause (13), and providing professional liability insurance to persons regulated by the board, shall submit to the board a report concerning the regulated persons against whom professional malpractice settlements or awards have been made to the plaintiff.

(b) A medical clinic, hospital, political subdivision, or other entity which provides professional liability coverage on behalf of persons regulated by the board shall submit to the board a report concerning malpractice settlements or awards paid on behalf of regulated persons, and any settlements or awards paid by a clinic, hospital, political subdivision, or other entity on its own behalf because of care rendered by regulated persons. This requirement excludes forgiveness of bills. The report shall be made to the board within 30 days of payment of all or part of any settlement or award.

(c) The reports in paragraphs (a) and (b) must contain at least the following information:

(1) the total number of settlements or awards made to the plaintiff;

(2) the date the settlements or awards to the plaintiff were made;

(3) the allegations contained in the claim or complaint leading to the settlements or awards made to the plaintiff;

(4) the dollar amount of each settlement or award;

(5) the regular address of the practice or business of the regulated person or entity against whom an award was made or with whom a settlement was made; and

(6) the name of the regulated person or entity against whom an award was made or with whom a settlement was made.

The reporting entity shall, in addition to the above information, report to the board any information it possesses which tends to substantiate a charge that a regulated person may have engaged in conduct violating a statute or rule of the board.

Subd. 6.Courts.

The court administrator of district court or any other court of competent jurisdiction shall report to the board any judgment or other determination of the court which adjudges or includes a finding that a physician is mentally ill, mentally incompetent, guilty of a felony, or guilty of a violation of federal or state narcotics laws or controlled substances act, guilty of an abuse or fraud under Medicare or Medicaid, appoints a guardian of the physician pursuant to sections 524.5-101 to 524.5-502 or commits a physician pursuant to chapter 253B.

Subd. 7.Self-reporting.

A physician shall report to the board any personal action which would require that a report be filed with the board by any person, health care facility, business, or organization pursuant to subdivisions 2 to 6.

Subd. 8.Deadlines; forms.

Reports required by subdivisions 2 to 7 must be submitted not later than 30 days after the occurrence of the reportable event or transaction. The board may provide forms for the submission of reports required by this section, may require that reports be submitted on the forms provided, and may adopt rules necessary to assure prompt and accurate reporting.

Subd. 9.Subpoenas.

The board may issue subpoenas for the production of any reports required by subdivisions 2 to 7 or any related documents.

Subd. 10.Failure to report.

Any person, health care facility, business, or organization that fails to report as required under subdivisions 2 to 6 shall be subject to civil penalties for failing to report as required by law.