A Good Faith Exam is a medical checkpoint that decides whether a patient gets treated at all. Skipping or rushing through it can make your clinic become the one the state board writes about. Most med spa owners know they need GFEs. Very few understand what the collaborating physician actually has to do for each one, and this gap can cause real problems.
What a Good Faith Exam Really Means
The Good Faith Exam is a medical assessment conducted prior to undergoing any elective cosmetic procedures to ensure that the patient is a rational candidate for the proposed procedure. This examination entails a thorough assessment of the patient’s medical background, allergies, medications, and other factors that may influence the result. Only when a medical practitioner has reviewed all these will the treatments begin.
Where the Collaborating Physician Fits In
The collaborating physician must be an MD or DO physician who acts as a medical director. They have legal accountability for the medical services provided by their subordinates. The following are examples of the duties they have:
- Approving protocols regarding who should be allowed to conduct the exam
- Evaluating paperwork to verify that the exam follows the guidelines
- Being accessible for consultations in case of any queries
- Shouldering the liability in case of any mishaps
The collaborating doctor who never even glances at the patient’s record is courting disaster. A board inquiry will require proof of real participation. Monthly checks will not suffice in the majority of states.
However, the repercussions are more severe than just paperwork. During an investigation by the board, both the clinic and the cooperating physician are investigated. The physician may have his or her license revoked. Civil penalties are imposed on the clinic, causing it to cease operations for months. Patients may file lawsuits against both the physician and the clinic. Insurance companies also refuse coverage in such cases. One improper test could destroy years of hard work and ruin everyone’s careers.
What Good Oversight Looks Like
A well-written collaborating physician agreement includes the documentation process for the GFE, detailing the provider performing the service and how the physician reviews their performance and the documentation found in the chart. In the event that an inspector needs to validate supervision, the written record provides all the answers.
Telemedicine portals can support video GFEs in states where they are allowed. In some states, asynchronous evaluation is also acceptable; the doctor reviews the intake forms and medical background of the patient in his/her personal time. Both processes can be effective if properly documented. Otherwise, neither process will be effective.
Picking the Right Partner
You need a doctor who knows how to write in chart notes. Who replies to your text messages within hours and not days? Who knows about the procedures you offer and has gone through the complications associated with each procedure?
Ask these three basic questions before employing anyone. How frequently do you review the GFE documents of the clinics under your supervision? What happens during the weekend if there is an adverse reaction? What do you know about the state guidelines of aesthetic medicine?
The responses should tell you if this person intends to get the job done or simply collect payment each month.
At MedSpire Health, we help find collaborating physicians who view GFE oversight as part of their clinical responsibility. We create documentation processes that pass muster during a board review. The next step is ensuring your clinic currently passes state guidelines before an audit comes knocking.
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