Maryland Physician Health Program
When we Help One Physician, we Help a Thousand Patients

Purpose
The Maryland Physician Health Program (MPHP) intervenes with physicians and physician assistants with potentially impairing problems, assesses and refers them to appropriate treatment, supports and monitors their recovery and advocates on their behalf.

Definition
The American Medical Association defines the impaired physician as one whose ability to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety is impaired because of mental illness, substance abuse or physical disability. Very few physicians in the program are found to be an impaired physician, by this definition.

History
The Maryland State Medical Society established the Physician Health Committee (PHC) in 1978. Committee members are physicians who volunteer their time to assist colleagues experiencing substance abuse, mental or emotional difficulties, or other problems that may interfere with their personal or professional lives. The MPHP is administered by the Center for a Healthy Maryland, a 501 C 3 charitable organization and an affiliate of MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society.

Confidentiality
Federal and state law ensures the confidentiality of physicians referred to MPHP, and program records are non-discoverable. The Maryland Physician Health Program is not affiliated with the Maryland Board of Physicians.

Who May Use the Program
The Maryland Physician Health Program is available to all physicians, residents, medical students, and physician assistants, regardless of affiliation with the Maryland State Medical Society.

Accessing The Program
Physicians or physician assistants experiencing problems should contact the program voluntarily. Colleagues, patients, or family members concerned about a physician or physician assistant should contact the program directly. The confidentiality of the referring individual will be honored upon request. Other referral sources include co-workers, hospital administrators, credentialing committees, therapists and treatment agencies.

Types of Concerns
Alcoholism and chemical dependency make up a majority of cases encountered by MPHP. However, other concerns include mental, emotional, physical, behavioral and legal issues, as well as cognitive impairment, sexual misconduct and stress.

Cost
The initial $300 cost of assessment and related toxicology screening will be covered by MPHP, but any additional cost must be borne by the participant. Participants may choose to access personal insurance plans for reimbursement or pay out of pocket for additional assessments, recommended therapies or treatments and ongoing toxicology screening. If a participant is admitted into MPHP for monitoring and advocacy purposes, a $75 monthly fee will be charged for case management services.

Presentations
A 15-minute overview of MPHP and a one hour CME lecture (a JCAHO requirement) titled "The Scope of Physician Impairment," may be scheduled by calling the program office. Presentations may be requested yearly, at no cost, by MPHP participating hospitals. There is a fee of $500, for non-participating hospitals requesting this presentation.

Services
Intervention, Assessment and Referral
When a referral is made, the physician or physician assistant is invited to meet with a committee representative and/or program personnel. Family members, colleagues, co-workers, friends and attorneys may accompany the physician. The meeting provides for open and honest communication and an opportunity for MPHP to review the situation, share information with the physician or physician assistant, express concern and receive feedback. MPHP will refer the physician for professional evaluation and cover up to $300 cost for this evaluation. If a problem is identified or diagnosed by the evaluator, the physician or physician assistant will receive referral for treatment and be admitted into the MPHP.

Monitoring
A participant with a verified problem typically enters into a five-year contract with MPHP that allows for active monitoring by the program. The contract encompasses the treatment plan for the physician or physician assistant, and may include monitoring of the participant’s treatment and work situation, self-help fellowship meeting attendance and toxicology screening.

Support and Advocacy
Support and advocacy for a recovering physician or physician assistant are critical aspects of the program. MPHP advocates for participants with organizations such as the Maryland Board of Physicians, malpractice carriers, Specialty Boards, hospital or agency credentialing committees and various legal entities. This includes providing regular progress reports.

When a physician or physician assistant successfully completes the requirements established in the advocacy contract and is adequately stabilized in their recovery, the work of MPHP is concluded.

Michael C. Llufrio, Director
Physician Health Program
Ph. 410-962-5580 or 800-992-7010
Email mllufrio@medchi.org

Thomas E. Dolan, Grad Cert, CAC-AD
Director, Community Outreach
Ph. 410-962-5580 or 800-992-7010
Email tdolan@medchi.org

Rhonda Sprout
Administrative Assistant
Ph. 410-962-5580 or 800-992-7010
Email rsprout@medchi.org 

Center for a Healthy Maryland, Inc.
MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society
1211 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-5516
Tel: 800-492-1056/410-539-0872
Fax: 410-649-4131
www.healthymaryland.org 
www.medchi.org