Transferring from one County Medical Society to Another
What do I do if I am relocating within Des Moines?
Do I have to pay additional dues?
Resignations
What action do I take if I am relocating outside of Des Moines?
What do I do with my records if I am relocating?
Retired Membership
What action do I take if I am retiring from active practice?
How long must I keep my medical records?
Current Address
What medical agencies need my address changes?
Transfers
What do I do if I am relocating within Des Moines?
A Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathy may transfer from any component society of American Medical Association within 90 days of the issuance of said certificate and may be elected to membership. Send a written request to PCMS, 1520 High Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, fax to 515-288-0173, or e-mail pcms@pcms.org requesting a transfer of your membership to the medical society of the county to which you are relocating.
Do I have to pay additional dues?
If you have paid the current year’s dues in your present county, no additional dues for the year will be required. If you have not paid the current year’s dues, you will need to pay full-year dues before transferring.
Resignations
What action do I take if I am relocating outside Des Moines?
Send a letter of resignation to PCMS, 1520 High Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, or fax 515-288-0173, or email pcms@pcms.org. Please include the telephone number and address of your new location so former patients who call PCMS may contact your office. You may request a letter of good standing for the society to which you will be applying.
What do I do with my records if I am relocating?
If you are relocating your practice but want your Des Moines patients to have access to their records, it is best to write all active patients and inform them where they can get their records. You may have another physician keep them or may make another arrangement, but please notify PCMS, 1520 High Street, Des Moines, IA 50315, fax to 515-288-0173, or email pcms@pcms.org of the procedure your patients should use to locate their records. This notification may be given when you request transfer or resignation.
Retired Membership
What action do I take if I am retiring from active practice?
Notify PCMS, 1520 High Street Des Moines, IA 50315, fax to 515-288-0173, or e-mail pcms@pcms.org in writing when you have set a date of retirement and request Emeritus status. The PCMS board of directors then will nominate you to Emeritus.
You will receive a letter from PCMS confirming your election to Emeritus status.
How long must I keep my medical records?
Please inform PCMS of any information concerning where your patients’ records will be stored to help patients who call the PCMS office for information, the information will be put in your file, along with any information about who will be taking over your practice.
The Iowa Board of Medical Examiner’s has established the length of time patient records must be maintained. Each licensed physician should maintain an adequate medical record documenting or memorializing the history, diagnosis, and treatment for each patient.
A licensed physician should maintain adequate medical records of a patient for a minimum of 7 years from the anniversary date of the last treatment by the physician.
If a patient was younger than 18 when last treated by the physician, the medical records of the patient should be maintained by the physician until the patient reaches 21.
A physician may not destroy medical records that relate to any civic, criminal or administrative proceeding if the physician knows the proceeding has not been resolved.
Physicians should retain medical records longer than the length of time imposed if mandated by other federal or state statute or regulation.
Current Address
What medical agencies need my address changes?
You must provide the Iowa Board of Medical Examiners with your current address. The board can be reached at:
Iowa Board of Medical Examiners
400 SW 8th Street, Suite C
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-4686
515-281-5171
You should notify PCMS in writing of your old and new address at PCMS, 1520 High Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, Fax 515-288-0173, or e-mail pcms@pcms.org.
Also notify hospitals, specialty societies, referring physicians, professional journals, financial institutions, utility companies, suppliers, labs, attorneys, and accountants.
