Suspended medical license....any options for work abroad?

[Belleza156]

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My mom had her medical license suspended 3-4 years ago because of aggressive billing tactics in Michigan. For whatever reason she hasn't been able to recuperate it. I am wondering if there is any way of her obtaining a license in another country? She could get Spanish citizenship since my great grandparents are from Spain, so that may leave Europe as a potential option. Since her license is currently suspended she can't just apply for the license in another state, and I also think working for the VA is also not an option, so I would think that for army/navy/air force would also not be an option. I think that for her a viable option is to try to seek another way of securing a license because I don't foresee the suspended license issue getting resolved, it's already been almost 4 years. Does anyone have any experience with what a physician who studied in the USA and did their residency in the USA (grandfathered into internal medicine) could do overseas if they are unable to practice in the USA?

Not the most conventional question I'm sure, but if anyone has any suggestions I'd be really glad to hear them.

 

[jdh71]

My mom had her medical license suspended 3-4 years ago because of aggressive billing tactics in Michigan. For whatever reason she hasn't been able to recuperate it. I am wondering if there is any way of her obtaining a license in another country? She could get Spanish citizenship since my great grandparents are from Spain, so that may leave Europe as a potential option. Since her license is currently suspended she can't just apply for the license in another state, and I also think working for the VA is also not an option, so I would think that for army/navy/air force would also not be an option. I think that for her a viable option is to try to seek another way of securing a license because I don't foresee the suspended license issue getting resolved, it's already been almost 4 years. Does anyone have any experience with what a physician who studied in the USA and did their residency in the USA (grandfathered into internal medicine) could do overseas if they are unable to practice in the USA?

Not the most conventional question I'm sure, but if anyone has any suggestions I'd be really glad to hear them.

You're probably not going to get another first world country to give you license if you had one taken away at home. Though, I don't think anyone here has the kind of experience needed to give you any helpful information.

Has she talked to a lawyer about her license? There is usually a way back into the club if you've only screwed up once, and you didn't do something outright criminal or purposeful harmful. I'm not giving any legal advice, merely saying before looking at trying to get spanish citizenship, etc. maybe she should see if there is some kind of recourse.

 

[Belleza156]

Unfortunately as it stands there doesn't seem to be much progress in recuperating her license. She didn't do anything illegal or ethically incorrect, aggressive billing was the reason for the suspension, ie going to court for every unpaid workmans comp & insurance claim. She has rubbed the board the wrong way, and they have refused to reinstate it twice now. Once the license is suspended or revoked the burden of proof lies on the physician to try to get it reinstated, there is no automatic period of time in which the suspension ends like when your drivers license gets suspended. She already appealed etc but so far process has taken almost 4 years and there is no end in sight. By the time she can recuperate her license, she probably won't even be able to practice because she hasn't worked as a physician for many years. The way I see it, she's got 10 years left before she'd have to retire anyhow, the best option is to find an alternative plan.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

The answer to your original question is basically no. Even if her license was fine, most other countries do not recognize US medical training -- the notable exception being Canada. A revoked license will only make things more difficult.