Pharmacists, just like many other professionals, are required to complete necessary education and training related to their field, and then obtain their license through the state of Illinois. The agency that is in charge of licensing and regulation over the state’s approximately 20,000 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians is the Illinois Board of Pharmacy, which is part of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
Part of the oversight the pharmacy board has is handling all complaints and investigations, as well as taking any appropriate disciplinary actions. If you have received notification from the board that they are investigating…
Continue Reading Is Your Illinois Pharmacist License at Risk?

We have discussed many issues that can threaten a physician’s medical license in our blogs, including allegations of insurance fraud, substance abuse issues, and allegations of medical malpractice. These types of issues usually go through a process that is overseen by the Illinois Medical Board and – depending on the circumstances – often involves filing responses, hearings, and even appeals. However, there is one issue that could result in a suspension of a doctor’s medical license that does not involve that process and occurs quickly once it is requested. That issue is failure to pay court-ordered child support.
Illinois Child…
Continue Reading Illinois Can Suspend Your Medical License for Failing to Pay Child Support

The Illinois State Board of Dentistry is the agency that oversees licensed dental professionals. If a complaint has been filed against a dental professional with the board of accusations of unnecessary treatment, substandard care, or inappropriate behavior, it is critical to have an experienced Illinois professional license defense attorney defending you against these allegations or you could risk losing your license to practice. In some cases, the patient may have also filed a dental malpractice claim. 
Why Should I Have an Attorney?
Defending against a complaint can be a complicated process, requiring the knowledge and experience of how the process…
Continue Reading Is Your Illinois Dental License in Jeopardy?

In today’s litigious society, doctors often have to worry about medical malpractice claims. The high cost of malpractice insurance to protect a physician and their practice is one of the factors that drives the high cost of healthcare. Although focused on malpractice concerns, worrying about accusations for Medicare or Medicaid fraud is not something that a physician usually concerns themselves with, yet these accusations occur much more often than you may realize.
Medicare Fraud Accusations
The False Claims Act was enacted to protect these programs from the filing of false claims. A physician can be accused of fraud for false…
Continue Reading Fighting a Medicare or Medicaid Revocation

Hearing the word “audit” can trigger a stressful reaction, no matter what entity is conducting the audit. One of those entities is the Illinois Office of Inspector General. Receiving notification that your medical practice is under an audit or investigation by IG could result in severe consequences without the experienced and skilled representation of an Illinois medical license defense attorney.
Is There a Difference Between a Healthcare Audit and a Healthcare Investigation?
The two terms are often misunderstood to mean the same thing but there are specific differences between the two. A healthcare audit examines the behaviors and actions…
Continue Reading Healthcare Audits and Investigations in Illinois

In 2004, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) established the Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors (VAWD) process in order to keep the country’s supply of prescription drugs and medical devices safe from counterfeit products. The NABP process is a rigorous one. In order to receive VAWD-certification, a drug wholesale company must show that they have a legitimate operation, their license is in good standing, they have employees, and utilize best practices when it comes to handling, storing, and shipping prescription drugs and medical devices.
It is in a pharmacy’s best interests – as well as their customers’ – to always…
Continue Reading Why Pharmacies Should Only Use VAWD-Certified Drug Wholesalers

Receiving a formal notice of complaint from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) can feel overwhelming, no matter what profession you are in. A formal complaint can have devastating repercussions – not only on your reputation, but on your entire career and livelihood. Regardless of whether the notice is about a minor disciplinary action or threats of suspension or revocation of your license, it is critical to consult with an Illinois professional license defense attorney immediately.
You Have Received the Notice. Now What?
When an Illinois professional board receives a complaint – whether it is the medical,…
Continue Reading Responding to an IDFPR Complaint Notice

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Chicago Division, along with the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois recently announced that two Illinois doctors were indicted on federal criminal charges for allegedly prescribing opioids to patients who did not have a legitimate medical reason for the drugs.
The Indictments
According to the information released by the DEA, one of the physicians charged managed a medical practice in Melrose Park and the second physician was employed there. The indictments allege that between 2015 and 2020, the doctors dispensed fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and other controlled substances to patients who came to…
Continue Reading Two Illinois Doctors Indicted by DEA for Operating Pill Mill

Over the last few months, federal and state agencies across the country have issued warnings to health care professionals who hold various licenses to watch out for phone calls and letters from scammers claiming to be from state medical boards, claiming the person’s medical license has been suspended. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are currently investigating these alleged scams. If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be from the Illinois Medical Board threatening that your license is in jeopardy, it is important to contact an Illinois professional license defense attorney right away.
Details of the…
Continue Reading Fraud Alert: Scammers Targeting Medical License Holders 

A nurse practitioner is one type of advanced practice registered nurse. In order to be licensed as a nurse practitioner, you are required to have additional education, training, and certification. Traditionally, nurse practitioners could be found at medical facilities such as urgent care clinics, but today, more and more patients are turning to nurse practitioners for their primary healthcare needs. Here in Illinois, the number of nurse practitioners have tripled over the past ten years and now number over 12,000.
At one time, nurse practitioners were always required to enter into a collaborative practice agreement with a physician, but that…
Continue Reading Requirements of a Nurse Practitioner in Illinois