The constitutional right to be free from double jeopardy: a new bastion against multiple punishments.

When physicians are charged with criminal conduct related to the practice of medicine, the matter is almost always referred to the state licensing board for discipline. If the conduct complained of is related to the Medicare or Medicaid programs, the physician may also be subjected to civil monetary penalties. As a result, physicians are often faced with multiple punishments for a single offense. In this article, the author discusses how a recent United State Supreme Court decision may provide immunity to physicians from multiple punishment.