What should I do if I have a complaint about my physician?

If you are unhappy with something your doctor has said or done, it's important that you speak to him or her about it as soon as possible, especially if it concerns your health. Often a frank conversation is enough to solve the problem.

If not, here are a couple other things you can do: If your physician is a member of the California Medical Association, he or she is also member of the county medical association, you can discuss your problem with the medical society in the county where the physician practices.
Click here for a list of county medical society phone numbers and websites.

The county society may be able to arrange for other physicians, and possibly a mediation committee, to review the problem. Physicians who are CMA members are required to go through this dispute resolution process if a patient requests it.

If your doctor is not a CMA member, or you want to take additional action, you can contact the California Medical Board's Central Complaint Unit at 1-800-633-2322. The Medical Board may to choose to investigate the matter and may submit your case to the California Attorney General for further action against the license of the physician. The Medical Board is the organization that licenses physicians, surgeons and other health care providers. They are the only agency that has the authority to impose discipline affecting a physician's license.

The Medical Board of California may be contacted as follows:

Medical Board of California
1426 Howe Avenue, Suite 54
Sacramento, CA 95825-3236
Toll-free number: 1-800-633-2322
www.medbd.ca.gov