This MANUAL was prepared by RoseMarie Jones, MD FACS and her staff, and is correct to the best of our knowlege.  As a new document, there are bound to be errors and omissions.  Should you encounter these, please notify the webmaster so that they can be corrected.

This document is presented as a service by the Indiana Chapter of the American College of Surgeons and carries no warranty.

UPDATED July 12, 2000
 

Starting Practice in Indiana
• Important Documents
1. Indiana State Medical License
2. Medicaid ID Number (Welfare)
3. Medicare
4. Employer Identification Number (EIN)
5. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
6. Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
• Other Pertinent Information
1. Workers Compensation Board of Indiana
2. Indiana Department of Insurance
3. Indiana State Agency Contact Numbers
4. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
5. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
6. National Practitioner Data Bank
• Office Postings
Starting a Business in the State of Indiana
• Choosing a Business Form
• Officially Forming Your Business

 

To obtain an application for licensure to practice medicine in Indiana, please call the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana's automated attendant at (317) 232-2960, or write to the Board at:

Medical Licensing Board of Indiana
402 West Washington Street, Room 041
Indianapolis, IN  46204.

Cost of examination:
 

$40.00 payable to the Health Professions Bureau
$420.00 payable to USMLE

Requirements to be eligible for examination:
 

Completed application with fee.
Notarized affidavit if you answer "yes" to any questions on page 3 of your application.
USMLE completed application for the Federation.
Two passport type photographs.
Official transcript of medical education.
Proof of postgraduate training.
Foreign medical graduates must submit a notarized copy of the EFCMG, VQU, or FMGEMS certificate.

Please refer to the application packet for detailed information.

Endorsement Information for Physicians:
 

The Medical Licensing Board of Indiana may issue a license upon payment of a fee to an applicant who furnishes proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant is a physician who:
 
• is licensed in another state that has licensing requirements substantially equal to those in effect in Indiana on the date of application;
• has passed an examination for licensure in another state or Canada or given by a recognized certifying agency approved by the Board;
• meets all other requirements of the statutes and rules of the Board.

Renewal Dates/Information (Change of Name, Address, Etc.)
 
Renewal

Medical licenses expire on June 30 of odd-numbered years.  The next renewal date is June 30, 2001.

Renewals are mailed sixty (60) days prior to the expiration date of the license.  If you do not receive your renewal application at that time, please call (317) 233-4397 to receive a duplicate application.  You may also leave information using an automated attendant by calling (317) 232-2960.  Be sure to give your name, address, license number, profession and telephone number.

You are required to notify the Health Professions Bureau of any address changes.  Your written notification must include your name, license number, profession, social security number, date of birth, and both your old and new addresses.  Please send the information to the Health Professions Bureau at 402 West Washington Street, Room 041, Indianapolis, IN  46204.

Please note that if you are changing the address of your practice location, a new controlled substance permit must be issued for that location.

You may have the name changed on your licensure records by submitting a copy of an official name change document such as a marriage certificate or a divorce decree.  A copy of a social security card will NOT be accepted.  Please send the information to the Health Professions Bureau at 402 West Washington Street, Room 041, Indianapolis, IN  46204.

Your letter should include your name as it is listed now, your new name, your license number, profession, social security number, and date of birth.  If you want a new pocket card, please indicate in the letter that a new card is needed due to the name change.

Fee Schedule for Health Professions Bureau
 

Cost of examination:
$40.00 application fee payable to the Health Professions Bureau
$420.00 payable to USMLE

Cost of endorsement:

$40.00 application fee payable to the Health Professions Bureau
Renewal of License:
$30.00 every two years, due by June 30 of odd-numbered years
Temporary Medical Permit:
$10.00
Renewal of license that has been expired for up to three years:
$10.00 late fee plus all past due and current renewal fees.
Verification of licensure status to another state:
$10.00 for each state to which information is to be sent.

Medicaid ID Number (Welfare)

In Indiana, you must contact the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning.  You may call them toll-free at 1-800-577-1278 or in Indianapolis at (317) 655-3240.  Request a provider enrollment application and one will be sent to you in two to four weeks.  You will need to provide them with your Social Security number along with your tax identification number.

Once the application is received, an ETN number will be provided.  Once the application is approved, this will be converted to your provider identification number and you will be notified accordingly.
 
 
Medicare

To receive a provider enrollment application for Medicare, you may call (317) 845-2992.  The application will be sent based on the information given to the attendant.  This is a lengthy process, so patience is necessary.  You will need to request Form OMB 0938-0219.

 
Employer Identification Number

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is used to identify a business entity such as a corporation, partnership, or retirement plan.  Generally, businesses need an EIN.  An exception is a sole proprietor with no employees.  However, sole proprietors who must pay federal excise or employment taxes will need an EIN, too.  NOTE:  You may not transfer your EIN if you sell or otherwise transfer your business.  The new operator may not use your EIN.

There are three methods to apply for an EIN:
 

• TELE-TIN - (telephone requests for taxpayer identification number) - Receive your EIN by phone by calling (606) 292-5467 between 9:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.  There is a toll charge for this call outside the local area (in Cincinnati).  This number is for EIN requests only.

• FAX-TIN - (facsimile requests for taxpayer identification numbers) - Receive your EIN by fax transmission to (606) 292-5760 between 9:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

• Mail IN - (mail in requests for taxpayer identification number) - receive your EIN by mail in approximately three weeks by calling 1-800-829-FORM, or by writing the Internal Revenue Service, Cincinnati, OH  45999; request an SS-4 application form.

Drug Enforcement Agency

You almost certainly already have a DEA number, but may need to change the address when starting your practice.  Direct any questions to:
 

U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
Chicago Division Office
Dirksen Federal Building, Suite 500
Chicago, IL  60604

An Indiana Controlled Substances Registration Certificate must be obtained from the Health Professions Bureau:

Health Professions Bureau
Indiana Board of Pharmacy
Controlled Substances Advisory Committee
402 West Washington St., Room 041
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-2960

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)

You must obtain a CLIA certificate whether you do laboratory testing or not (simply testing patients in the office for fecal occult blood requires a certificate of waiver).  Your certificate must be posted.  To obtain a form, contact:
 

Department of Health and Human Services
CLIA Program
P.O. Box 26689
Baltimore, MD  21207-0489
(410) 966-6802
 

Worker's Compensation Board of Indiana

Contact information:
 

Worker's Compensation Board of Indiana
402 West Washington Street, Room W-196
Indianapolis, IN  46204
(800) 824-COMP

Indiana Department of Insurance

The Health Issues Division of the Indiana Department of Insurance is responsible for:
 

• Monitoring all state and federal legislation which affects health insurance;
• Educating insurers (agents and companies), staff, health care providers and other parties on the impact of health insurance legislation;
• Representing the Commissioner at Indiana Comprehensive Health Insurance Association Board meetings;
• Coordinating the activities of the Indiana Small Employer Health Reinsurance Board; and
• Assisting the Chief Deputy Commissioner with agency legislative activities.

The Department of Insurance also deals with Medical Malpractice Laws. (INCAP - Indiana Compensation Act for Patients)
 

Indiana State Agency Contact Numbers
 

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OHSA)

This refers to the Occupational Safety and Health Act implemented to safeguard your employees' safety and health.  All medical offices, no matter how small, must be in compliance.

To be in full compliance with OSHA, you must have your own individualized Exposure Control Plan to blood borne pathogens (sample control plan available at ), and your own safety rules.  You must keep a record of your employees' training as well as logs of your cleaning and of your periodic check of your exit signs, eye wash station, fire extinguishers, etc.  You must also have available all the MSDS's (Material Safety Data Sheets) for all the chemicals you have in the office, from "white-out" to rubbing alcohol.

This seems like a tedious undertaking and it is.  There are some services that have ready-made manuals to help you.  The AMA has one and some commercial firms have them as well.

You can obtain considerable help with this through the risk management office of your malpractice insurance company.  The Worker's Compensation Board of Indiana can also send someone for a walk-through OSHA inspection.  In order for these inspections to be worthwhile, you must first have tried to achieve a minimum level of compliance.
 
 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

For information on EPA regulations, which you may need to address issues of hazardous waste disposal in your area:

Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL  60604
(312) 353-2000
(800) 621-8431