HOUSTON
Volume 14 | Issue 11
Inside This Issue
LifeGift and Houston Methodist Improve Organ Donation and Transplantation See pg. 9
November Edition 2024
Healing Across America: The Rise of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
By Erin L. Muellenberg, J.D. Annalee Lee, J.D. Polsinelli, PC
INDEX Oncology Research......... pg.3 Mental Health...................... pg.4 Healthy Heart ...................... pg.5 Financial Forecast............ pg.12
Equine Assisted Services Program Finds New Home At Institute for Equine Sciences See pg. 10
T
he genesis of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (“Compact” or “IMLC”) started in 2013, when the Federation of State Medical Boards worked with its member state boards to study the feasibility of an interstate compact to support the medical license portability. The Compact has 42 member jurisdictions, including 40 states, the District of Columbia and the territory of Guam. IMLC legislation is pending in Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina. To participate in the Compact, physiciansmustmeetspecificqualification and training requirements. Once a physician applies, the State of Principal License reviews the application and conducts primary-source verification including criminal background check to determine eligibility. If all requirements are met, the State of Principal License issues a formal Letter of Qualification, which allows the physician to obtain license from multiple states. While the licensing process may be expedited through the Compact, the individual states retain the full authority in administering its duties of oversight. Benefits Streamlining / Reduction of Administrative Burden. The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission (“IMLCC”) noted that since operations, more than 100,000 licenses were secured in IMLCC
member states through April 2024. IMLCC’s recent release referred to a study that found nearly 30% of all new licenses issued to physicians in 2022 were done via the IMLCC. Further, IMLCC’s most recent twelve-month period study found that it took on average 43 days from application to Letter of Qualification issuance, then 20 days from qualification to license issuance. Because the Compact makes it easier and quicker for physicians to obtain and renew licenses, this expedited process reduces administrative burdens, including those for individual medical staffs. Information Sharing/Disciplinary Information Reporting. All state boards participating in the Compact are required to share investigative and disciplinary information with each other. According to the Compact Rules, any reported disciplinary action may be a basis for discipline by other member boards. Conversely, when a physician’s license in a state is “revoked, surrendered, suspended or relinquished,” all other state licenses of that physician is automatically suspended for 90 days to permit each member board to investigate the matter.
Therefore, a medical staff in a participating state could find out about an investigative/disciplinary action against a physician in any state where the physician has a license. This free flow of information may help identify quality concerns early on that could adversely affect patient care and help promote quality care. Access to Care. The streamlined licensing procedure may also help enhance the portability of a medical license, which in turn may enhance access to and continuity of care. Further, the greater portability may increase the availability of out-of-state disaster-response providers who do not need emergency waiver, with greater availability to reach areas in urgent need of care. Therefore, individual medical staffs could promptly provide physicians emergency privileges to serve patient needs. Additionally, the Compact could facilitate the provision of telemedicine that can help reach rural areas. Risks/Considerations Risk of Reliance on Information. All medical staffs in participating states must rely on the see IMLC ...page 14
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO 1 HOUSTON TX