Maintaining Current Licensure
All physicians
who practice in the state of Louisiana are required to maintain
three different licenses: a Louisiana state medical license, a
Louisiana state narcotics license, and a federal Drug Enforcement
Administration license. An expired license can result in the suspension
of privileges to practice medicine. While the task of filling
out the form, writing a check and sending them in to the licensing
agency seems simple, a number of problems can happen along the
way.
The renewal process is hindered for many
physicians by the short turnaround time required by the agencies.
Most renewal applications are sent out only forty-five days prior
to the expiration date. As with any public agency, errors are
made in processing both the application form and the payment,
so it is best to send the renewal application and check by return
mail the same day it is received. This method may seem extreme,
but in the event of problems, early submission allows enough time
for corrective action if needed.
Many physicians find that they receive
their new licenses on or even after the renewal date, particularly
if the application was submitted close to the expiration. The
delay in processing is especially long during busy times such
as July when many new graduates apply for licenses and then renew
them annually, and the end of the year, when many physicians are
trying to "tie up loose ends" for the year by taking care of such
paperwork.
To assist physicians in maintaining current
licenses without difficulty, here is a quick review of the licensing
process.
1. The Louisiana state medical license
is renewed annually in the month prior to the physician's birthday.
For example, if a physician was born in June, his or her renewal
date falls in May. The cost of this license is $150.
2. The Louisiana state narcotics license
is renewed each year on the anniversary of the original issuance.
For example, if the original narcotics license was issued in September,
the renewal date will always occur in September. The state narcotics
license is required to prescribe any narcotic drug. The renewal
fee for this license is $20.
3. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) license renewal occurs every three years on the anniversary
of the original license date. The federal DEA license is required
to prescribe any drug. This license fee is $210.
Some of the errors observed by our credentialing
staff in assisting physicians with license renewal include forgetting
to sign the application or check, neglecting to include the check
with the application, writing the check for the wrong amount,
or sending the application to an incorrect address. On the other
hand, the licensing agencies are also less than perfect. For example,
the state cashes checks for narcotics licenses upon receipt, but
the actual processing of the renewal may take another two to three
weeks after the check clears. Then, the new license may not be
received by the physician for an additional two to three weeks.
Before you seal the envelope and mail your
renewal, take a few moments to review the form and your check
for accuracy. Make two copies of the renewal form and the check:
one for yourself, and one for C & M. Send the C & M copy to our
office for our files. Also be sure to have the check number recorded
in a handy place in case the check needs to be traced through
your bank. Applications which are incomplete, unsigned, or submitted
with incorrect payments will be delayed, sometimes resulting in
expired licenses.
As a courtesy to our physicians, C & M's
credentialing department tracks the renewal of each license beginning
60 days prior to expiration until the renewed license is received.
A reminder letter is sent by the credentialing department 60 days
prior to expiration explaining that the renewal is approaching
and asking the physician to process the renewal paperwork promptly.
Once the 45-day mark passes, letters are sent out every two weeks
until the point of three to four weeks away from renewal. At that
point, the credentialing department phones the physician to remind
him or her to send in the paperwork and mail a copy of the renewal
to our office. In addition, our credentialing staff monitors the
progress of all renewal applications by speaking with all three
licensing agencies a minimum of three
times weekly.
Many C & M physicians utilize our credentialing
department's services to process their license renewal applications.
The physician need only sign the form and send it to our office
with a check issued in the proper amount to the agency, and our
staff will complete the application, make copies, and submit it.
After the application has been sent in,
verify with your bank that the check has cleared within a few
weeks. Then call the agency to determine the status of the license.
If your application is not submitted immediately after receipt,
it is best to send it to the agency by overnight mail or express
service. Be sure to send the form and check to the agency's physical
address rather than a post office box.
If you have questions concerning the renewal
of a license, our credentialing staff is happy to assist you.
If you need to contact one of the licensing agencies directly,
their phone numbers are listed below.
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners:
State Medical License (504) 524-6763
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals:
State Narcotics License (225) 342-9404
Drug Enforcement Administration: Federal
DEA License 1-800-882-9539 or (504) 840-1063.
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