I am an IMG trained ophthlamologist. Couldn't get into ophthlamology in US. Is it possible to practice ophthalmology in US without doing residency? I do qualify for medical license in US in few states based on my 2 years of surgical training as prelim years.

Not a must, but does make things significantly easier. Many hospitals now have requirements for board eligibility, as do many malpractice carriers. Your best bet would be in an underserved area where you can get a hospital to sponsor you.

I am an IMG trained ophthlamologist. Couldn't get into ophthlamology in US. Is it possible to practice ophthalmology in US without doing residency? I do qualify for medical license in US in few states based on my 2 years of surgical training as prelim years.

You will have trouble all-around.

If you haven't completed an ACGME-approved residency, you won't be considered board-eligible to sit for the American Board of Ophthalmology certifying examinations. Many hospitals and independent surgery centers will not admit you on staff so you will have difficulty being able to operate. Many carriers will not allow you to contract with them if you don't have staff privileges or are board-eligible.

You will have no trouble getting a license to practice, but you will have trouble getting on staff at a hospital, becoming a member of the specialty societies as a U.S. member (not as an "international" member), getting on Medicare and other insurance carrier panels so that you can be paid for your services, and getting affordable malpractice insurance coverage.

Short of getting into and successfully completing a U.S. or Canadian ophthalmology residency training program, you really won't be able to practice in any practical sense.

Thank you for your responses, I really appreciate it. I fully don't understand how medical insurance works in this country. If you are licensed to practice medicine, does that mean you can bill medicare for example if I see patient who has an eye problem or do i have to be board eligible to be on medicare insurance and see ophthalmology patient.
Any input as to how insurance works in this country and explaining the system how it funtions will be highly appreciated.
i have a choice to make between staying in this country and going home.
Thank you

Short of getting into and successfully completing a U.S. or Canadian ophthalmology residency training program, you really won't be able to practice in any practical sense.

It is tough agreed, but it can be done. I am aware of foreign trained (non-board eligible) docs at academic centers who have otherwise normal practices, i.e have privileges at several hospitals, have malpractice coverage, etc. It can be done, just very difficult.

To answer your second post, Michael.... No, you do not HAVE to be board eligible to bill Medicare, but Medicare is administered by different regional carriers. (i.e. the medicare rules may be different in California and Kansas, etc. ) If declined by your Medicare carrier, I believe (don't quote me) you would still have the option of billing the patient and letting them collect from Medicare, but that is a slippery slope as patients in some areas will object. Other private insurers is another story. They can do whatever they want. There are also practices out there that do not accept insurance at all, so that would be a possibility, although very rare.

The biggest hurdle IMO is hospital privileges and malpractice insurance. I would advise you to look for some jobs and see what happens. Look for jobs that have been listed for long periods. Especially those in rural areas. Rural hospitals will give you privileges and will go to bat for you with a malpractice carrier.

.....so nice of you thank you for the response.