Last year, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) suspended 139 doctors following an investigation into the practices of the Arora Board Review test-prep company. ABIM claimed that the doctors violated ethical and conduct standards by providing test questions to the company.
Wachler & Associates represented over 40 doctors that were suspended without regard to their individual behavior and circumstances. The story, however, has gained national traction and appeared today on the front page of CNN’s website.
CNN traveled to our offices in Royal Oak, MI to interview Andrew Wachler, managing partner of Wachler and Associates. The following is an excerpt from the article:
Most of the cases against the suspended doctors have been resolved. Drew Wachler, an attorney who handled many of those cases, told CNN, “The cases were really resolved through settlement agreements with ABIM.”
“We articulated the impact on these physicians,” Wachler said. “We tried to present their body of work throughout their entire careers, looking at the extraordinary references they received, their conduct throughout medical school, residencies. It was resolved in that fashion.”
Mr. Wachler’s comments demonstrate the due process and individual consideration we fought to ensure each doctor received during the appeal process. For all healthcare providers, ethical and integrity matters are exacerbated by related issues such as licensing, participation in managed care organizations, and staff privileges. This issue highlights the collateral consequences that may be impacted by board certification, thus requiring doctors to always defend claims to ensure their continued ability to practice medicine.
A short version of this story will air on January 13th at 8:00 p.m. ET on CNN’s “AC360,” and the full version will air on “CNN Presents,” January 14th and 15th at 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. ET.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the ABIM suspensions or appeal process, or if you are facing board certification, licensure, managed care participation, or staff privilege issues, please contact a Wachler & Associates attorney at 248-544-0888.