The Osteopathic Medical Board of California reported progress on enforcement staffing and changes to probation monitoring at its Nov. 14 meeting.

Christy Libermento, enforcement analyst, said the unit filled two AGPA enforcement positions (SB815 mandates) and rolled out an "analyst introduction" letter to complainants, published Spanish-language brochures, and began complainant interviews for quality-of-care cases. Performance metrics reported: complaint intake acknowledges within the 10-day target; desk investigations completed in an average of 165 days (target 360 days); but cases transmitted to the Attorney General's office have an average aging of 902 days (target 540), which staff said reflects backlog and factors outside OMBC control.

Christy reported 409 pending enforcement cases divided among analysts, 80 cases with HQIU investigators and 20 cases at the AG's office. In Q1, the board reported filing 1 accusation, issuing 1 citation, and placing 2 licensees on probation.

Probation monitor Ralph Graham said about 32 licensees are on active probation (six tolled while out of state), described quarterly reviews and two recent cease-practice orders issued for noncompliance, and outlined plans for in-house monitoring of participants previously overseen by Maximus. The board learned on Aug. 26 and later that Maximus did not intend to re-bid; DCA published a notice of intent to award the contract to Premier Health Group. Staff said the change creates an opportunity to consolidate monitoring responsibilities and to ensure the board, rather than a vendor, directs non-practice orders and tolling.

Why it matters: The enforcement office's improved intake and hiring are concrete steps toward reducing backlog, but the long AG-processing times mean some serious cases await final action. The vendor transition for the diversion program requires careful coordination to maintain monitoring, biological testing and public notification of practice restrictions.

Representative quote: "Currently, we have 409 pending enforcement cases split between the 5 analysts," Christy Libermento said.