2006-08-27 14:54:48 · 7 answers · asked by becduran 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Had a patient the other day that had been terminated by his Dr. He received a registered letter telling him why. The Dr gave him 30 days to find another Dr and offered to refer him.
The idea of "doing nothing wrong" can be quite different for the patient and the Dr. My patient was terminated for noncompliance. He didn't take his medications, didn't keep follow up appointments, didn't follow the activity or diet plan for his condition. There is no point in seeing the patient if he is not going to follow the recommendations of the physician. Most Dr's will put up with it for a period of time and then they take action.
A physician can also terminate patients for non payment. We wouldn't expect a plumber to keep fixing our leaks if we never paid him. A Dr is a business person also.
Dr's do take an oath to provide care to the indigent. Hospitals and Dr's practices have a percentage of care that is never paid for and fulfills this. But if this percentage gets out of control the offices will close and in some cases the hospitals. We have some physicians that will not take any more Medicaid cases. Not because they object to providing care, but because it costs so much to maintain an office and the percent that they are reimbursed by Medicaid is so low. They have to limit the overall chance of negative cash flow.
It is true that a Dr can not abandon a patient. But as with my patient the letter very specifically offered a referral as well as a grace period for the patient to find another Dr. So the Dr's termination of the patient does not constitute abandonment.
If the patient has not received a written description of why the services are being terminated, they should request one. Not sure they would continue to want this person as their Dr, but knowing what the issues are could help in the next Dr-patient relationship.
Good luck
2006-08-27 15:56:23 · answer #1 · answered by Ravenna752 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doctors have a right to terminate any patient from their practice, it could be something as simple as they just don't feel comfortable treating that person for what ever reason.
2006-08-27 14:58:28 · answer #2 · answered by cam 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no they can't terminate patient care.
the code of ethics say they can't treat one patient better than the other, or refuse any treatment a patient requires, unless they are not specialized in that field.
however, that it does happen but they are not supposed to do it
2006-08-27 15:01:31 · answer #3 · answered by anhzan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course, just like a patient can change doctors even though her doctor has done nothing wrong.
2006-08-27 16:19:08 · answer #4 · answered by Jane N Hottie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, he must give you written notice and allow you the time for transfer of care.. but he does not have to be your doctor if he chooses not to.
2006-08-27 14:58:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, if they dont take your insurance or if they're providing charity care. If these two things aren't the issue, then there is more to the story.
2006-08-27 14:58:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes..2 of my husbands drs have done it to him..
2006-08-27 14:57:37 · answer #7 · answered by mommy2savannah51405 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋