Physician Complaints

Physician Office Complaints

PBCMS’s Ethic’s and Judicial Committee is a peer review committee of physicians of various specialties that meet on an as-needed basis to review complaints against PBCMS member physicians licensed and practicing within Palm Beach County County. While this particular committee assists complainants (including both patients and physicians) in mediating disputes, PBCMS has no authority to require a physician to follow its recommendations or to take action against a physician’s license.

The Medical Board of Florida is the only authority in the state that may take disciplinary action against the license of the physician(s) to whom your complaint relates. The toll-free number of the Medical Board is 1-888- 419-3456.

Before PBCMS accepts an official complaint, a consent and authorization form must be completed and signed by the complainant and/or the patient, by a parent if the patient is a minor, by the conservator or power of attorney of the patient if applicable, and by the executor if the patient is deceased. As a complainant, you are responsible to provide any and all letters, documents, etc. that pertain to your complaint.

Most disputes are the result of poor communication between individuals. Have you tried to discuss the problem with the physician? If not, we urge you to do so before filing a formal complaint. If you have and find there is still a problem, please complete a complaint form and send it to the Palm Beach County Medical Society, Ethic’s and Judicial Committee 3540 Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 101, West Palm Beach, FL 33406.

As quickly as a complaint is received and logged, the member physician is asked to provide a written response to the Ethic’s and Judicial Committee. When all information concerning the problem is received from both parties, the complaint goes before the next meeting of the committee for review. When the committee has concluded its deliberations, both parties are notified of the decision in writing. 

PBCMS employees are not medically trained and are not qualified to discuss aspects of any medical problem. PBCMS staff is assigned to process the paperwork on your complaint as quickly as possible and in a confidential manner. The process of evaluating your case may take from 90 to 180 days to complete.

Physician Complaint

You can also call PBCMS to get information on a complaint. Call us at 561-433-3940 x107.

Physician Billing Complaint

PBCMS employees are not able to address billing complaints. All billing complaints must be reported to Florida Department of Agriculture.

You can reach the Florida Department of Agriculture at 1-800-435-7352 or www.800helpfla.com.