 Maryland Physician Health Program
Helping is our Business. 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 coworkers, 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 cost, up to $300, for 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 modest 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, coworkers, 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.
Contact Information
Make a tax-deductible contribution to the Maryland Physician Health Program. Fill out the donation form and send a check payable to the Center for a Healthy Maryland to:
The Maryland Physician Health Program
1202 Maryland Avenue, 2nd Fl.
Baltimore, MD 21201-5512
Phone: 410-962-5580 or 800-992-7010
For more information on the Maryland Physician Health Program please contact one of the following:
Michael C. Llufrio, Director
Physician Health Program
e-mail: mllufrio@medchi.org
Thomas E. Dolan, Grad Cert, CAC-AD
Director, Community Outreach
e-mail: tdolan@medchi.org
Rhonda Sprout
Administrative Assistant
e-mail: rsprout@medchi.org
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