Board of Medical Examiners and Medical Licensure Commission Medical Digest

• The Medical Digest contains information impacting licensees and a list of disciplinary actions against licensees.
• All current licensees receive the Medical Digest at their email address of record.
• Licensees may also choose to receive the newsletter by mail.
• Non-licensee subscriptions to the newsletter are by email only. To subscribe, send a request to .
• If you are a licensee and would like to receive the newsletter by mail, please send a request to and include your name, address, city, state, and zip code.

---

Latest newsletter
 

Issue Vol. 35, Vol. 3, Jul. - Sept. 2020

• William M. Perkins appointed Executive Director
• 2021 license and registration renewals
• Scam alert - physician extortion attempts
• Underwood Minority Scholarship awarded to Alicia Williams
• Physician Assistant non-controlled prescribing formulary modified
• Report of public actions of the Board and Commission

Newsletter Archives

Volume 35 (2020)	Featured articles
No. 1	• 2020 Annual Report • Opinion-ultrasound guided egg retrieval • DEA Alert - scam targeting DEA registrants • 2020 CME audit waived, additional time to meet 2020 requirement • CME retirement waiver • Medicare bonus payments and physician shortage areas • Management of medical records • Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 2	• A word from the Assoc. Exec. Director • CME requirement modified for COVID-19 • Honoring Dr. Jefferson Underwood • Physician to physician communication • Considerations upon discharging patients/retiring/closing practice • ADPH advises providers in use of non-FDA approved COVID-19 tests
No. 3	• William M. Perkins appointed Executive Director • 2021 license and registration renewals • Scam alert - physician extortion attempts • Underwood Minority Scholarship awarded to Alicia Williams • Physician Assistant non-controlled prescribing formulary modified • Report of public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 4	Winter 2020

Volume 34 (2019)	Featured articles
No. 1	• New Executive and Associate Executive Directors • Administrative rule changes • Doctors positively impacting state's opioid crisis • Notice to Limited License Holders • What do you need to know about CME for controlled substances? • 2018 Annual Report • NarxCareTM comes to PDMP • Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 2	• ALBME welcomes new Board members for 2019-2020 • Effective Nov. 18:  Gabapentin changed to Schedule V • Underwood Minority Scholarship Award announced • Do you have patients who live or travel extensively outside the country? • Be sure of accreditation status of ALS, PALS, ACLS providers • Disaster planning for your medical practice • DEA warns of alarming increase in scam calls • Use of lasers and other modalities affecting living human tissue • Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 3	• 2020 license and registration renewals • Notice - Licensee Portal • Welcome to new employees • ALBME social media guidelines • Starting Nov. 18 Gabapentin will be a Schedule V drug • Administrative rule changes • Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 4	• Treatment of acute pain • Treating postoperative pain - a better way • Contact with patients before prescribing • Rules for dispensing physicians • PDMP EHR integration • Risk and abuse mitigation strategies • Requirements for the use of controlled substances for the treatment of pain • Use of controlled substances for weight reduction • Maintenance of records and inventories • Public actions of the Board and Commission

Volume 33 (2018)	Featured articles
No. 1	• ALBME 2017 Annual Report • Controlled subs. prescribing issues for mid-levels/physicians • Reminder:  New CME requirement for ACSC holders • Health professionals disaster response volunteer network • Alabama physician workforce profile • APHP announces reorganization • Web site and online licensure update • Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 2	• BME/MLC welcome new members • Naloxone available OTC • In Memoriam: Ronnie Lee Lewis, MD • Kenneth Aldridge, MD, receives Garber Galbraith Medical-Political Award • BME staff update • New:  Additional QACSC at lower fee • CME opportunities • Alabama Quitline • Online application forms available this fall • Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 3	• 2019 license and registration renewals • Notice to Limited and Retired Senior Volunteer License Holders • Benzodiazepine use, misuse, and abuse • Important reminder for collaborative practice physicians • Changes to Office Based Surgery registration • Attn:  lawful aliens/foreign national licensees • Licensee Portal update • FSMB: regulating use of stem cell and regenerative therapies • IMLC now covers half the country • Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 4	• Board members recognized • Recent physician survey responses highlight issues with EHRs • Medical conditions/controlled substances and operating vehicles • Clarence Neal "Buddy" Canup, MD, in memoriam • Important information for mid-level practitioners • Board rule changes • Special registration for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine • Public actions of the Board and Commission

Volume 32 (2017)	Featured articles
No. 1	• Questions about the new RMS rule • How to register for the AL Electronic Death Registration System • ALBME names new executive director • Risk and abuse mitigation strategies for prescribing physicians • 2016 ALBME annual report • If you need help - Alabama Physician Health Program • Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 2	• Rescheduling selected drugs • Board welcomes new members Drs. Jordan, Lewis and Rogers • Board says farewell to Drs. Goetter and Smith • Social media and electronic communication with patients • Notices and reminders • CME requirement for ACSC registrants FAQs • Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 3	• Big changes to web site, online renewal applications • 2018 license and registration renewals • Notices to Limited/RSV/nonpermanent legally present licensees • Changes coming to PDMP • DEA releases 2017 Drugs of Abuse resource guide • FDA to require expanded training on opioids • Achieve successful transition to MACRA's QPP • PAs/CRNPs/CNMs prescribing to self or immediate family • CME notices • Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 4	• African-American female Dr. Halle Tanner Dillon • Repairing "difficult" patient-clinician relationships • Free refresher training for Certified Medical Examiners • PDMP update • How to make HIPAA disclosures during mass tragedies • Interstate Medical Licensure Compact update • CME in 2018 • Public actions of the Board and Commission

Volume 31 (2016)	Featured articles
No. 1	• 2015 Annual Report • Interstate Medical Licensure Compact • Alabama's Electronic Death Registration System • Meet Norris W. Green, Associate Executive Director • How does the PDMP apply to me? • Need CME?  Prescribing of Controlled Drugs and Opioid Prescribing • Medical Association News • Professionalism in the use of social media • CME compliance • Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 2	•  AIM Award for Development of Prescribing Courses •  Medical Assoc. Honors BME Investigator Munson •  Meet the New Board Members •  BME Investigations: What Happens When There is a Complaint? •  George Smith, Sr., MD, Receives National Award •  Opioid Pain Medicines - FDA Warning •  William F. Addison, Esq., Retires •  Meet the Staff:  E. Wilson Hunter, Esq. •  BME Mourns Loss of Staff Member Cindy Kirsch Smith •  Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 3	• Billing Fraud • New Federal Buprenorphine Prescribing Rule • 2017 License and Registration Renewals • Notice to Limited License and Retired Senior Volunteer license holders • CME Requirement for Physicians and Physician Assistants • Important Reminder for Collaborative Practice Physicians • Attention Lawful Aliens/Foreign National Licensees • CDC Develops Useful Resources for Physicians and Patients • Notice for Dispensing Physicians • Famous Alabama Physician:  Peter Henderson Bryce, MD
No. 4	• A report on Interstate Medical Licensing Compact • Important notice from DEA (change in renewal process) • FDA warns of combining opioids and benzodiazepines • Healthcare personnel should get influenza immunization • HHS announces actions to combat opioid epidemic • In memory of James "Nick" Nichols • Public actions of the Board and Commission • CME in 2017

Volume 30 (2015)	Featured articles
No. 1	• Collaborative Practice Agreement renewal and termination • Alabama BME Annual Report • In memory of Arthur F. Toole, Jr., MD • Differentiation between electronically transmitted and electronic medical record produced prescriptions •  Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 2	•  Alabama joins Interstate Medical Licensure Compact •  Patients, pain and physicians •  Communication between physicians and patients •  Internet drug sellers:  what providers need to know •  Notice: Requesting medication approvals under LPSP •  Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 3	•  Arrest, Search and Seizure in Mobile •  2016 License and Registration Renewals •  Notice to Limited License and RSVP License Holders •  Professionalism in the Practice of Medicine (reprint) •  Tribute to William Jefferson Terry, MD •  PA Corner - FTE Increase, 2016 Renewals •  Reminders - Dispensing, Lawful Alien Licenses, FDA -Testosterone •  Public actions of the Board and Commission
No. 4	•  Outside expert witnesses needed •  The distressed physician:  Not 'bad doctor' •  John Meigs, MD, FAAFP, elected president elect of the AAFP •  Ann Streetman Shiver retires after 36 years •  Notice regarding Contrave® •  Update:  Board Rules Chapter 540-X-15, Telehealth •  10 Big healthcare predictions for 2016 •  Public actions of the Board and Commission

Volume 29 (2014)	Featured articles
No. 1	•  The pain medication dilemma •  Medical examiners must be certified to conduct DOT physicals •  Ending diversion of prescribed medicines •  2013 Annual Report •  Providing records of other physicians •  Termination of collaborative practice/registration agreement
No. 2	•  Terminating a physician/patient relationship •  Alert regarding hormone pellet placement •  Dixon receives lifetime achievement award •  November courses - medical ethics, prescribing of controlled drugs, ER/LA Opioid Analgesics REMS
No. 3	•  License renewal: proving US citizenship/lawful permanent resident status •  2015 license/registration renewals •  DEA final rule reschedules hydrocodone combination products •  Physician impairment: what should I do? •  Limited Purpose Schedule II Permit (LPSP)
No. 4	•  Limited Purpose Schedule II Permits for NPs and PAs •  Alert regarding hormone pellet therapy •  Q&A:  Disruptive behavior among physicians •  Physician impairment: what should I do? •  FDA approves new, hard to abuse hydrocodone pill •  Third edition of "Responsible Opioid Prescribing" book •  UAB School of Nursing Ebola course •  PA Corner

Volume 28 (2013)	Featured articles
No. 1	• Special 2013 Legislative Edition • Immigration Act requires proof of citizenship/legal presence • Drug Abuse and Diversion package becomes law • Nurse Practitioner prescribing legislation passes
No. 2	• Pain Medicine Legislation:  An overview • Nurse practitioner prescribing update • 2012 Annual Report • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy uses and abuses • Physician Health Program reporting requirements • Report of public actions of Board and Commission

Volume 27 (2012)	Featured articles
No. 1	•  Treating androgen deficiency in the aging male •  BME 2011 Annual Report •  DEA announcement - carisoprodol (Soma) •  Dispensing physician registration •  A call to preceptors
No. 2	• Testosterone replacement from endocrinologist's perspective • CME rule amendment - grace period eliminated • Providing records of other physicians • PA controlled substances prescribing reminder • Reminder - collaborative practice renewal and termination
No. 3	•  Board expresses concern regarding use of chelating agents •  2013 license and registration renewals •  BME/MASA educational programs offer valuable CME •  Registrations with the Board (office-based surgery, lasers, dispensing) •  Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances Certificate (P.A.s) requirements •  DEA certification for electronic prescribing •  Use of non-validated substances for weight reduction under scrutiny •  Maintenance of licensure (MOL) update
No. 4	• Health Department survey/email address request • Update on chelation therapy study • Board to address prescription drug diversion • Legibility of prescriptions, required info a concern to pharmacists •  Medicaid announces enrollment requirements •  Home assessments and home visits •  Termination of collaborative practice/registration agreement •  Avoid complaints to the Board •  Special pull-out section - Board rules on prescribing/pain management

Volume 26 (2011)	Featured articles
No. 1	• DEA rules for electronic prescribing of controlled substances • ABME 2010 Annual Report • MASA/ABME prescribing seminar • AMA policy for use of social media • Prescription Drug Monitoring Database
No. 2	• Best of Boards Award - Collaborative Practice Seminar • AQAF membership for physicians • PDMP database system upgraded • PAs controlled substances prescribing protocol • Activities misunderstood to confer Category 1 credit • Providing records of other physicians
No. 3	• 2012 license and registration renewals • Volunteering for health emergencies • CME reminders • ADPH invites physicians to volunteer through Alabama Responds • Prescription drug monitoring program important reminders
No. 4	• Male infertility - a common side effect of testosterone therapy • Registration for office based surgery • DEA e-prescribing rules clarifications • New Board Rule - utilizing controlled substances for weight reduction • Report of public actions of Board and Commission

Volume 25 (2010)	Featured articles
No. 1	• Board discourages use of HCG for treatment of obesity • Office-based surgical procedures • MASA/ABME prescribing seminar • Rules governing the use of lasers • Treating and prescribing to family members
No. 2	• Medical communication • CME requirement change for 2010 • Maintenance of licensure • Treating and prescribing to family members - a follow up • FDA on lipodissolve, refilling pain pumps
No. 3	• Information for 2011 renewals • Understanding CME:  what are Category 1 or equivalent credits? • Exercise care in annual renewals • Surveys determine benefit eligibility (ADPH)
No. 4	• Use of non FDA approved hormones • Changes to Office Based Surgery Rules • 2010 Annual Report • DEA policy change - authorized agent • FDA electronic tools

Volume 24 (2009)	Featured articles
No. 1	• New collaborative practice rules by CMS • Appropriate prescription formats • MASA/ABME prescribing seminar • Utilization of mid-level practitioners • PDMP a useful tool
No. 2	• Using controlled substances for the treatment of pain • A Board member's thoughts on obtaining CME • Ala. Act expands PA prescribing • PDMP zero based reporting • FSMB honors MLC member, BME Executive Director
No. 3	• Information for 2010 renewals • CME requirement to change for 2011 renewals • Prescribing controlled substances by PAs • FSMB news
No. 4	• The value of physician health programs • Prescribing controlled drugs seminar • Required information for prescription forms • QACSC rules • Potential indicators of drug abuse/fraud

Volume 23 (2008)	Featured articles
No. 1	• Recommendations for weight loss programs • Online communication with patients • Rules about medical records • Utilization of mid-level practitioners • Signature requirements for prescriptions
No. 2	• Using the PDMP database • Ambulance transport rules • Laser rules compliance date approaching • Retired senior volunteer program • Internet prescribing legislation passes US Senate
No. 3	• Professional sexual misconduct • Criminal background checks • Treating and prescribing to family members • ADPH publishes list of controlled substances
No. 4	•  Avoid complaints to the Board •  Patient conditions reportable by physicians •  What to expect in a collaborative practice audit •  Joint Commission issues alert on disruptive behavior •  Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act

Volume 22 (2007)	Featured articles
No. 1	• Advertising by physicians • Prescription Drug Monitoring Program • Board opinions - joint injections by mid-level practitioners
No. 2	• Avoid common prescription problems • CMS rule requiring tamper-proof prescription pads • Collaborative agreements/registration • Procedures for PAs performing skin biopsies
No. 3	• Board adopts rules for using lasers • Laser rules increase physician responsibilities • Use of Methadone for chronic pain management
No. 4	• DEA rule change on frequency of prescribing controlled substances • Anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs • Weight loss clinics cause concern for the Board • Resigning hospital privileges may have unintended consequences • Over-the-counter insulin users may forego regular doctor visits

Volume 21 (2006)	Featured articles
No. 1	• Using mid-level medical practitioners • Prescription Drug Monitoring Program - Board Rules • Professionalism in the practice of medicine • Board encourages prevention (chemical dependency)
No. 2	• Laser use in clinical medicine • Physician medical records • Board revises PA joint procedures policy • Board opinion - facial biopsies, arthocentesis, joint injection by mid-levels • Board opinion - pain pumps and dispensing physicians • Closing or retiring from a practice
No. 3	• What to expect if a representative of the Board visits your office • Physician responsibilities when managing reports from screening agencies • BME issues opinion on pain pump refills • Internet prescribing
No. 4	• Store-based health clinics - guidelines to promote quality and safety • Communication between physicians and patients • Board opinions - ear stapling • The sagging of medical professionalism

A .zip file of pre-2006 newsletters can be located here. (File is 1.39GB)

Copyright 2018 © The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners
All rights reserved