Iowa Professional Health Programs

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The Iowa Professional Health Programs (IPHP) help licensees take care of themselves. The goal of the IPHP is to provide confidential, supportive monitoring that facilitates recovery in a manner that allows licensees to successfully practice their profession. The IPHP uses a system of accountability that is non-disciplinary. The IPHP believes that early diagnosis, treatment and monitoring provide the best outcomes for licensees, registrants, and their patients or clients.

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What are the Iowa Professional Health Programs?

In 1995, legislation was signed into law formally authorizing licensing boards to establish licensee review committees for the purpose of evaluating and monitoring licensees who self-report physical or mental impairments. In 1996, licensing boards began to implement the provisions of Iowa Code section 272C.3(1)“k.”

To better understand the objective of the programs, it is important that everyone understands what the programs mean when referring to “impairment” and “self-report.”

  • "Impairment" means an inability to practice with reasonable safety and skill as a result of alcohol or drug abuse, dependency, or addiction, or any mental or physical disorder or disability.
  • "Self-report" means the licensee submits written or oral notifications to the appropriate licensing board that he or she has received, or may receive, a diagnosis as having an impairment.  Self-reports should be submitted before the board receives a complaint or report alleging an impairment.

The Iowa professional health programs were established in 1996 to support licensees who struggle with impairments due to alcohol or drug abuse, mental health conditions, and/or physical disorders.

The professional health programs reviews self-reports made by licensees to determine eligibility for participation. The programs design individualized health contracts to meet the needs of participant.

Access the form to file a self-report here.

IPHP supports licensees and registrants through individualized monitoring agreements to meet the needs of each participant. The committees for each program review self-reports to determine eligibility for participation. The committees meet approximately four times per year. 

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Confidentiality

Iowa law mandates that information in the possession of the IPHP remain confidential with few exceptions. Participation in the program is not a matter of public record. The confidentiality requirements prohibit licensing boards from having access to IPHP records or related information.

Exceptions to Confidentiality

  • Licensees and registrants must report their participation to other state(s) in which they are licensed or applying for licensure.
  • The IPHP can collaborate with the participant’s treatment team throughout the duration of the contract.
  • The IPHP can report a participant’s non-compliance with his/her IPHP contract to the licensing board for consideration of disciplinary action. Disciplinary action, if taken, is a public record.
  • The IPHP can communicate information to a licensing board if there is a significant risk to the public.
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Why Use the Iowa Professional Health Programs?

The programs encourage licensees who have impairments to get the assistance and support they need. Information received by the programs remains confidential so long as the licensee complies with the terms of his/her agreement or health contract.

By self-reporting to the professional health programs, the licensee may avoid formal disciplinary action by the licensing board. Formal disciplinary action taken against a practitioner is a matter of public record. The boards report disciplinary action to the press, the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), insurance companies, and to other state and federal authorities.

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IPHP Process

Obligation to Report

Iowa law requires licensees to practice with reasonable skill and safety. Licensees who believe that they have an impairment, which may risk the ability to practice with reasonable skill have a right and obligation to ask for help when needed. Making a self-report should not come with negative implications. It is always in the best interest of the licensee and his/her clients or patients to seek assistance when needed.

Iowa law requires licensees to report to the board knowledge of a violation of board rules or matters that may negatively affect the practice of the profession by another licensee. If another licensee reports an instance of impairment before a self-report is submitted, the licensee about whom the violation or matter was reported may be ineligible for confidential participation in the IPHP.

Self-Report

The process begins with a self-report providing detailed information about the impairment for which there is concern. Impairments can include alcohol or substance abuse, mental health and/or physical condition(s). After the self-report is made, IPHP staff will reach out to the licensee to discuss the self-report and gather additional information.

Licensees must report knowledge of another practitioner's possible impairment to the board. Licensees who fail to report colleagues with a possible impairment may be subject to disciplinary action by the board. Disciplinary actions are public records. It is in the practitioner's best interest to self-report an impairment before someone else files complaint or report.

Program Review

The IPHP will complete a thorough review of the self-report and relevant information to determine eligibility for participation. Depending upon the reported impairment and details of the report, the IPHP may request that the licensee undergo an evaluation with providers approved by the program to better understand the needs, if any, of licensee.

Health Contract

If the IPHP approves the licensee for participation in the program, the committee will establish the terms for participation. Members of the program rely on recommendations from approved evaluators and other treatment providers to determine the appropriate requirements for each participant.

IPHP staff will draft the health contract, which provides a detailed description of the goals of the program, requirements for successful completion, and the practitioner's obligations. Every contract is drafted on a case-by-case basis to meet the specific needs of the participant. The terms of the health contract are intended to assist the licensee in recovery and wellness.

Participation in IPHP

After entering into the health contract, the participant is obligated to comply with the terms established in the contract. Oftentimes, the health contracts will require the licensee to submit periodic reports to IPHP staff to demonstrate compliance with the contract. IPHP staff will follow up and communicate with the participant as needed to better assist the licensee in recovery.

Participants will meet with the IPHP committee at least once every other year. This allows the committee to communicate directly with the participant. This is also an opportunity for the participant to ask questions of the committee or address possible areas of concern.

During the course of IPHP participation, the committee reviews the health contracts to ensure that the needs of the participants are met. As a result, contracts may be modified to better assist the licensee in recovery. Changes may result in an increase or decrease of the requirements for participation.

Note: The Iowa professional health programs may refer to the board participants who are consistently out of compliance with the terms of their contracts. Disciplinary action taken by a licensing board is a public record; and portions of the confidentiality provisions no longer apply to the participant.

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Professional Health Program Committees & Meeting Dates

Program membership is composed of individuals who understand the needs of practitioners who are in recovery. Members include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • A licensee who has successfully completed a recovery program;
  • A practitioner with expertise in substance abuse/addiction treatment;
  • A psychiatrist or psychologist; and
  • A public member.

If this embedded calendar is not working in your browser, please visit this public calendar to view it on calendar.google.com
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IPHP Resources

Healthcare Professional Meetings

Substance Use and Mental Health Resources

Mutual Support Resources

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