Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners

How the official source says to file

• Use a separate complaint form for each practitioner. Provide patient identity and birth date, your relationship to the patient, practitioner contact details, approximate treatment dates, and a factual statement. Sign and date the complaint.
• The current investigation page directs signed forms by mail or fax. The packet lists 630 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, and fax (504) 324-0994.
• Read the separate complaint-information release carefully. The form permits declining that release to request identity protection, despite broader wording on the webpage that says a signed release is required.

Supporting guidance: LSBME: Investigations ↗LSBME: complaint form and release ↗

What this route may not provide

The Board’s FAQ says it does not hear malpractice claims, assess their merits, or give malpractice legal advice. Its role includes professional investigation, guidance, and license discipline. A Board complaint should not be treated as a civil claim for injury compensation.

Supporting guidance: LSBME: complaint and investigation FAQs ↗

Do not guess about confidentiality

The packet warns that signing the release authorizes disclosure of your complaint and identity to the practitioner. If you decline, a summary may still be shared, and law may require your identity later. The Board can obtain patient records either way. Its FAQ allows anonymous investigations in rare cases with independently provable evidence.

Supporting guidance: LSBME: complaint form and release ↗LSBME: complaint and investigation FAQs ↗LSBME: complaint and investigation procedures ↗

90-day goal; complex investigations can take a year or more

The FAQ describes a 90-day review goal and longer complex cases. The procedure document separately describes a preliminary-review period subject to extension and formal investigation lasting up to two years unless extended. These are processing provisions, not incident-to-filing limits. A filing deadline was not established by this check; ask promptly.

Supporting guidance: LSBME: complaint and investigation FAQs ↗LSBME: complaint and investigation procedures ↗

What may happen after filing

Staff screen jurisdiction and supporting facts, obtain information, and may seek a practitioner response. Matters can close, lead to nonpublic guidance, or proceed to formal investigation and public discipline, including probation, suspension, or revocation.

Supporting guidance: LSBME: complaint and investigation procedures ↗LSBME: complaint and investigation FAQs ↗

Prepare a reviewable submission

State the concern you want reviewed, then add a short chronology, best supporting records, factual consequences, and a specific request for review.