BORIM Profiles Terms and Definitions

Definitions for the information presented in a physician profile on FindMyDoctor.mass.gov

Applicability

The Board of Registration in Medicine publishes Physician Profiles in accordance with 243 CMR, § 2.15, codified as the Physician Profile Law, M.G.L. c. 112, § 5.

Profiles for all physicians, who now have, or have had, a Full Physician License in Massachusetts at any time since 1996 are available to the public.

Banner Information

A yellow banner at the top of a profile which states

"This profile is being reviewed and will be available when the review is completed. Please contact the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine for additional information."

means that the Board is updating the information contained in the profile and is providing the physician with reasonable time to request a correction of factual inaccuracies, in accordance with M.G.L. c. 112, § 5, prior to publishing the information. During this period, the profile is considered to be on “hold” and information about the physician is limited to a subset of the license information.

License Information

• License Number– The Board of Registration in Medicine assigns a license number for each approved license. This number will appear on the physician's wallet card and profile.
• License Status – Statuses include:
  • Active License Status – A physician with an active status may practice medicine.  To maintain active license status, a physician must complete the Board's continuing medical education requirements and maintain malpractice liability insurance coverage, unless they meet the exemptions set at 243 CMR 2.02(2)(i)2.  A physician in this status may renew their license.
  • Voluntary Agreement Not to Practice License Status – This license status designates that the physician entered a non-disciplinary agreement with the Board that the physician will not practice medicine.  A physician in this status may renew his or her license, which will remain in this status upon renewal.
  • Non-Disciplinary Practice Restriction License Status – This license status designates that the physician may practice medicine subject to restrictions that either limits their practice to certain specialties, prohibits them from some types of practice, or requires that they practice with supervision or monitoring.  The restrictions are not imposed as a discipline for misconduct, but rather as part of conditions of licensure set by Board order or pursuant to G.L. c. 112, § 5, par. 5 (“Sluzski amendment” licenses) or as part of an agreement between the Board and the physician such as a Voluntary Agreement for Practice Restrictions or a Physician Re-entry Agreement. A physician in this status may renew their license, which will remain in this status upon renewal.
  • Disciplinary Practice Restriction License Status - This license status designates that the physician may practice medicine subject to restrictions that either limits their practice to certain specialties, prohibits them from some types of practice, (e.g., physician may not prescribe Schedule II medications) or requires that they practice with supervision or monitoring.  The restrictions have been imposed as discipline, in either a Final Decision and Order or a Consent Order, as a stand-alone restriction rather than as a term in a Probation Agreement (see Probation License Status). A physician in this status may renew their license, which will remain in this status upon renewal.
  • Probation License Status – This license status designates that the physician has entered into a Probation Agreement with the Board, which remains in effect.  The specific terms of the Probation Agreement establish whether the physician is authorized to practice medicine, and if so, whether the practice is located to a specific worksite or subject to monitoring or audits.  The Probation Agreement may also limit their practice to certain specialties or prohibit them from some types of practice.  A physician in this status may renew their license, which will remain in this status upon renewal.
  • Resigned License Status – Under the Board's regulations, a physician who is under investigation or named in a complaint by the Board may choose to submit a resignation and terminate the investigation.  Resignation is a disciplinary action.  A physician who has resigned their license may not practice medicine and may not renew their license.
  • Suspension License Status – As the result of a disciplinary action, the Board may suspend a physician for an indefinite or limited term. This suspension may be stayed upon compliance with specific conditions imposed by the Board.  A physician whose license has been suspended may not practice medicine and may not renew their license unless the suspension has been stayed.
  • Summary Suspension License Status – The Board may summarily suspend a physician's license. If the Board determines, based on affidavits and other documentary evidence, that a physician represents a serious threat to the public health, safety or welfare, the Board may suspend the license pending a hearing on the merits.  A physician whose license has been suspended may not practice medicine and may not renew their license unless the summary suspension has been rescinded.
  • Revoked License Status – A revocation removes all privileges of licensure.  A physician whose license has been revoked may not practice medicine and may not renew their license. The physician may not apply for reinstatement of licensure for at least five years from the date of imposition of the action, unless the Board permits a shorter period in its final decision and order, or consent order.
  • Inactive License Status – A physician may apply for inactive status, which exempts the physician from the Board's requirements regarding continuing medical education credits and malpractice liability insurance coverage. A physician on inactive status may not provide patient care or prescribe medications.  A physician in this status may renew their license, which will remain in this status upon renewal unless the physician successfully applies to return to active status or to retire.
  • Lapsed License Status – A physician with a full license has not renewed their license prior to the license expiration date and therefore does not currently have a valid license to practice medicine in Massachusetts.  A physician with a lapsed license may apply to revive the lapsed license pursuant to 243 CMR 2.06(7)(b).  If the physician’s license was in a renewable restricted status at the time of the lapse, the license status will appear as one of the four statuses below that correspond to the restrictions:
    • Lapsed while under Voluntary Agreement not to Practice
    • Lapsed while on Probation
    • Lapsed while under Non-Disciplinary Practice Restriction License Status
    • Lapsed while under Disciplinary Practice Restriction License Status
  • Retired License Status – A physician may apply to retire their license pursuant to 243 CMR 2.06(4).  This status is voluntary and is intended for physicians who have concluded their career in medicine.  Physicians with a retired status may not practice medicine and may not renew their license.  A physician with a retired license status may apply to reactivate their license.
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• Licensing Dates:
  • License Issue Date – To practice medicine independently in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a physician must possess a full license. A physician is required to submit a full license application. The issue date is the date the Board originally approved a full license application.
  • License Renewal Date – The date that the license was last renewed. (Licenses may be renewed every two years.)
  • License Expiration Date - The date that the license expires, if not renewed.  Expiration occurs at 11:59 PM on this date.
  • Revocation Date – The date the Board revoked the physician’s license.
  • Suspension Date – The date the Board suspended the physician’s license.
  • Summary Suspension Date – The date the Board summarily suspended the physician’s license.
  • Voluntary Agreement not to Practice (VANP) Date – The date of an agreement between the physician and the Board that the physician will not practice medicine.
  • Retired Date – The date the physician retired from the practice of medicine.
  • Resigned Date – The date the physician resigned their license and all privileges of licensure.
• Primary Work Setting – The physician's primary place of work.
• Business Address – The physician's business address.
• Business Telephone – The physician's business telephone number.
• Accepting New Patients – Indicates whether the physician is accepting new patients. Since this status changes frequently, contact the physician's office for confirmation.
• Accepts Medicaid – Indicates whether the physician accepts Medicaid. Please be aware that these contract arrangements change quickly and you should always confirm eligibility with your provider.
• Translation Services Available – Many physicians provide translation services for their patients. A list of supported languages appears in this section.
• Insurance Plans Accepted – Indicates which insurance plans the physician accepts. Please be aware that these contractual arrangements change quickly and you should always confirm eligibility with your provider.
• Hospital Affiliations – Indicates at which health care facilities the physician has affiliations. If there is a specific facility that you prefer to use, find out if a physician has privileges at that facility. Some physicians have full admitting privileges while others have different levels of access to a facility's services. Ask the physician to explain the type of privileges he/she has.
• National Provider Identification Number (NPI) – The primary purpose of the NPI is to uniquely identify health care providers as "health care providers" in HIPAA standard transactions. The NPI will replace all other identifiers assigned to health care providers such as those assigned by health plans, government programs and health care purchasers for purposes of conducting these business transactions.
• Herbal Therapy Authorization –  If marked "Granted", this Acupuncture licensee has met the initial and continuing education requirements to employ Chinese Herbal therapy in the practice of acupuncture.  The licensee is not authorized when marked "Not Granted".

Education and Training

• Medical School – The name of the medical school where the physician obtained a medical degree.
• Acupuncture School – The name of the acupuncture school where the acupuncturist obtained an education in acupuncture.
• Graduation Date – The date the physician obtained a medical degree from the medical school.
• Postgraduate Training – The location, dates, and types of training. Postgraduate training prepares physicians for the independent practice of medicine in a medical specialty.

Practice Specialties and Board Certifications

Information appears in this section as reported by the physician to BORIM.

Practice Specialty

• Area of Specialty – The physician's area of practice (Urology, Orthopedics, Primary Care, etc.).

Board Certifications

• Board Name – The name of the board that has certified the physician.
• General Certification – The field in which the physician is certified.
• Subspecialty – A narrow field within the specialty that the physician is certified.
• A "Board Certified" physician has additional training in that medical specialty or has passed special exams to prove his/her competence in the specialty. The Board of Registration in Medicine only recognizes certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) for medical doctors (MDs) and osteopathic doctors (DOs), and certification by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) for DOs only. Physicians are not required to be "Board Certified", but many patients prefer to see physicians with these credentials.
• ABMS Board Certification – The ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties) is a national organization that tests physicians in their specialty. The ABMS also sets standards for additional training for specialties. Physicians who meet these additional requirements are board certified by the ABMS.
• AOA Board Certification – The AOA (American Osteopathic Association) is a national organization that tests osteopathic doctors in their specialty. The AOA also sets standards for additional training for specialties. Physicians who meet these additional requirements are board certified by the AOA.

Honors and Awards, Professional Publications

Information appears in this section as reported by the physician to BORIM. 

Honors and Awards

• Physicians are not required to submit this information, but patients find the information helpful in choosing a new physician.

Professional Publications

• Information appears in this section as reported by the physician to BORIM.  Physicians are not required to submit this information, but patients find the information helpful in choosing a new physician. For example, a patient with a significant family history of diabetes may prefer a physician who has published research papers in this area.

Malpractice Information

This section shows malpractice claims on which this doctor has made a payment. These include a settlement payment, an arbitration/mediation payment, or a payment on a court judgment. Pending (unresolved) malpractice claims and claims that are closed without payment are not listed here. Consumers should read the extensive disclaimer and explanations that accompany the information. Just because a physician made a malpractice payment, do not assume that the physician is not a good doctor. Sometimes, the insurer decides to settle a claim without ever discussing it with the doctor. The best way to understand malpractice data is to talk to the doctor about it. Malpractice payments are presented within the context of the physician's specialty. Some medical specialties are far more likely to have numerous and expensive payments. Comparing physicians to others in the same specialty accounts for these specialty differences.

Massachusetts Malpractice Claims

Indicates malpractice claim details in Massachusetts.

• Claim Date: The date of the malpractice payment.
• Specialty: The physician's area of specialty (Urology, Orthopedics, Primary Care, etc.)
• Classification (Massachusetts only): The payment category compared to other payments within the same specialty (below average, average, above average).

Out of State Malpractice Claims

Indicates whether there is a record of out of state malpractice claims regarding the physician. This section includes malpractice claims reported by other state medical boards on physicians licensed in those states. For more information about another state’s malpractice claim, contact that state’s medical board. You can find contact information for all state medical boards at the Federation of State Medical Boards website.

• Claim Date – The date of the malpractice payment.
• State – The state in which the malpractice payment was made.

Disciplinary and/or Massachusetts Criminal Actions

Massachusetts Criminal Convictions, Pleas and Admissions

This section lists criminal convictions for felonies or serious misdemeanors. For purposes of this section, conviction of a felony includes all guilty pleas, guilty findings, nolo contendere pleas, and admissions of sufficient facts, regardless of the disposition. “Conviction of a serious misdemeanor” includes all guilty pleas, guilty findings, and nolo contendere (no contest) pleas resulting in a sentence of incarceration or home confinement of any duration; all guilty pleas, guilty findings, and nolo contendere pleas resulting in a suspended sentence of incarceration or home confinement of 60 days or more; and any misdemeanor that served as a basis (alone or in combination with other findings) for Board discipline. The criminal action may or may not be related to the practice of medicine.

• Charge – The reported felony or serious misdemeanor and number of counts (only applicable if there is more than one count).
• Court – The court(s) in which this physician was charged with the reported felony or serious misdemeanor.
• Jurisdiction – The state in which the criminal charge was adjudicated. A federal charge will be indicated here as well.
• Plea or Disposition – The final decision on the reported criminal case.
• Plea or Disposition Date – The date of the final decision on the reported criminal case.
• Docket Number – The number assigned to the case by the court.
• Conviction– Charges for which the physician was convicted or pleaded guilty, if any.
• Sentence – The final disposition of the case including any fine, term of community service or imprisonment imposed by the court.

Massachusetts Health Care Facility Discipline

Whenever a Massachusetts health care facility suspends or revokes a physician's privileges at the health care facility, the Board of Medicine is informed. Details on the cause for the action should be requested from the physician. Usually, the Board of Medicine will not have additional information about the reason for the action available to consumers. This section shows any involuntary restriction or revocation of the doctor's privileges at a health care facility for reasons related to the doctor's competence or character. This section shows any voluntary resignation or nonrenewal of health care facility staff membership when offered by the doctor instead of or in settlement of a pending health care facility disciplinary matter that is related to the doctor's competence or character.

• Facility – The health care facility that disciplined the doctor.
• Facility Type – The type of health care facility. Choices include Hospital, Clinic, Nursing Home, and Other.
• Action Begin Date – The date on which the health care facility disciplinary action took effect.
• Action End Date – The date on which the health care facility disciplinary action ended.
• Action – The type of action taken by the health care facility against the doctor, e.g., revocation or suspension of privileges. This section reports certain serious disciplinary actions taken by health care facilities. It does not include all health care facility disciplinary actions.
• Basis or Allegation – The reason the health care facility took a disciplinary action against the doctor. When the doctor voluntarily resigned, restricted or failed to renew his privileges during a pending disciplinary action, this describes the charges that were pending against the doctor at the time of the voluntary resignation, restriction or nonrenewal.

Massachusetts Board Discipline

When the Board takes final disciplinary action against a physician, it is noted on the profile indefinitely. Additional information about the discipline can be found on the Board's website in the "Disciplinary Action List" and the press release for the corresponding date. The Board of Medicine plans to add copies of the actual disciplinary action report to its website in the near future.

• Date – The date the Board disciplinary action was imposed.
• Case Number – The adjudicatory case number assigned by the Board.
• Action – The disciplinary action imposed by the Board.
• Instrument – The legal document the Board used to impose the disciplinary action.
• Cost – The amount of costs assessed by the Board, if any.
• Action Note – An explanation of the action taken by the Board.
• Fine Amount – The amount of the fine imposed by the Board.

Out of State Discipline

This section shows disciplinary action taken by an out of state medical board.

• Date – The date on which the disciplinary action was imposed.
• State – The state in which the disciplinary action was imposed.
• Selected State License Number – The physician's license number for the state the disciplinary action was imposed, if known.
• Actions – The disciplinary action the state took against the physician.
• Comment – Additional information about the disciplinary action.

Date published:	January 10, 2025