A survey of state medical licensing boards: can the travelling team physician practice in your state?

Abstract

This was a study that surveyed state medical licensing boards in the USA, to see if they have laws or exemptions for travelling team physicians to practice medicine on their own team, while travelling to that state. Surveys were sent to 58 medical boards, with legislative data being obtained for 54. Eighteen states (33%) allow team physicians travelling with their team to practice medicine with their home-state license. Thirty-six states (67%) do not have a legal pathway to allow the practice of medicine without a license: 27 (50%) do not allow the practice of medicine without a license from their state, 6 (11%) have an exemption for a 'consultant' to act in concert with a home-state physician (though this is not applicable to the team physician) and 3 (6%) do not have an exemption, but recognise that it happens without their involvement. A second survey was sent to 20 malpractice carriers, identified by an internet search to represent a diverse sample, to see if these companies offered policies that would cover the team physician, and if they also had licensure requirements. Of the 11 that responded, only 2 companies would provide coverage regardless of individual state licensing requirements, 5 companies would provide coverage to a provider who travels, but would require the provider to be licensed in any state they travel to and 4 companies would not provide coverage out of the home state, regardless of licensure. The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine is working on a Federal patch for this problem.

Team physician challenges in 2013: dealing with media and travelling across state borders

“…As healthcare evolves in the USA and across the world, it is important for the team physician to be updated on the latest policies and factors, which may prevent them from providing necessary care in a timely fashion. Thus, these two articles1 2 are both timely, and should serve as a discussion point for further examination of these topics in other countries.…”

“…Surveys were sent to state licensing boards to determine if they had pathways for out of state physicians to provide care for athletes. The authors noted that physicians who travel to other states with their teams are practicing without a license in 67% of the states that responded to their survey 2. Even more troubling, they note only 30% of states provide protective legislation for a travelling physician.…”

“…Two recent BJSM articles1 2 highlight important aspects of team physician practice. Confidentiality and protection of athletes medical information is increasingly challenging in the era of social media, which allows rapid dissemination of individuals’ personal details from a variety of sources 1.…”

“…Viola et al 2 reported on state laws and insurance policies, which can impact physician's ability to care for athletes while travelling to events and games in the USA. Surveys were sent to state licensing boards to determine if they had pathways for out of state physicians to provide care for athletes.…”

“…Sports medicine can result in challenging cases with significant financial implications, even when a physician is not violating a licensing law, and many malpractice policies still will not provide coverage. Viola et al 2 note that a few states have exemptions for specific groups, for example Idaho grants an exemption if a physician comes for ski patrol, Massachusetts allows US Olympic Committee or World Cup Organizing Committee events, and Missouri will exempt physicians from bordering states. Six states (11%) have an exemption for a consultant, but the laws are not applicable to the team physician.…”