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Ask Dr. Christopher |
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Donovan 2008
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Contracts V. Sense of Entitlement.
Physicians especially those practicing in the United States hold a special place in our culture This venerable societal ranking and associated prestige requires great care to maintain such stature in an increasingly translucent informational posting society.
The line by and between private and public is deeds may remain legally intact however internet postings often do not differentiate by and between the two. State Medical Boards often require physicians to list or register any issue regarding questions of substance abuse, moral turpitude, contract disputes including allegations of fraud etc.
Therefore physicians need to exercise great care in the execution of any civil contract, participation in government reimbursement programs {i.e. Medicare and Medicaid}. Other contractual and issues of moral turpitude would include adhering to scheduled payback of student loans and honoring commitments to serve in medically underserved communities in exchange for upgraded visa status and or repayment of previous educational grants or loans by communities eager for a resident physician to live and reside among them.
To often doctors like other celebrities succumb to their own hype. One may abandon a contract once all perceived benefits to the physician have been exhausted. Some physicians commit numerous types of fraud against Medicare and or Medicaid often rationalizing such behavior as necessary due to below cost reimbursement schedules.
Other physicians jeopardize crucial underserved J-1 placement programs for future candidates by their attitudes, lack of work ethic or simply demanding to be released from the commitment early. Some doctor’s sense of entitlement gives financial deadbeats a bad name. To bail on a student loan or not honor any type of legal contract oral or written amounts to fraud.
It is perfectly acceptable to act out in such ways as long as one is prepared for the consequences and penalties of judgments and or criminal prosecution. To whom much is given much is expected and physicians have much to lose in any scandal, civil or criminal action that creeps their way.
IN 2005: “During the year under review, federal prosecutors secured the convictions of 523 people. [1] The United States prosecuted over five hundred cases of Medicare and Medicaid Fraud. This resulted in the recovery of $1,55 Billion dollars that was returned to the Medicare Trust Fund. Whistleblowers in 2005 were awarded an eye popping $136.8 million dollars [2].
Physicians and their families have sacrificed much for the privilege to practice medicine.
If the State Board Inquires, hearings, sanctions, suspensions or revocations are not enough to deter conduct unbecoming a “Doctor” then sporting prison blues may indicate that one has finally {devolved} arrived and the term “moral turpitude” and learning respect will certainly compliment the new lifestyle. Dr. Christopher October 6, 2006.
[1] [2] The Hill The Newspaper for and about the U.S. Congress Bloomberg.com The Executive Feds recoup nearly $1.5 Billion in fraud cases By Jeffrey Young Thursday October 5, 2006 |
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