Doctor refusing to provide treatment to birthmother.?

Question

My OB/GYN is refusing to see me because I am considering giving my baby up for adoption and have contacted an agency who has helped me establish Medicaid coverage for the pregnancy. They have told the agency that they will no longer accept me as a patient unless the agency pays for their services up front. I do not understand why this should matter, if I was keeping the baby I would still be using Medicaid regardless and there would be no problem. I am upset about having to find another doctor as this has been my doctor for years and I do not think this is right. Has anyone encountered anything like this before is there anything I can do to resolve this so I can continue to see my doctor? Or is the damage already been done?

Thank you all for providing me some insight. All of your point are valid and your suggestions are great. I just want to clarify that. I am only considering adoption I have not made up my mind and no agency person or otherwise can tell me what to do. I just know my situation and that right now adoption is something I must look into.I realize it is not my only choice. But it is a choice.
My issue with my doctor is that they are wanting the agency to pay out of pocket for my expenses and will not accept me if I have Medicaid. My doctor does accept medicaid, he just simply will not accept it FOR ME. The agency tried to get me to see their doctors I insisted that this is the only I would go to. I have talked to the office manager and she simply said "No, we will not accept Medicaid in this case, the adoption agency must pay." If the adoption issue had never come up this wouldn't be a problem. I am confused because I don't think it should matter.

Answer 1

I am so sorry.

And yes, I can completely believe that a doctor would refuse to serve you because you're considering adoption.

Umm, not to scare you too much, but... the stigma just gets worse after you relinquish your rights. I am not trying to tell you what to do, but I do want you to be aware of what you're getting into, in case no one has warned you, you know? Because I wish someone had told me about the stigma of relinquishing a child. Would have helped to have been prepared.

Anyway... I honestly don't know what the laws are, because while it's illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc., there's no clause in there about adoption. My GUESS is that this is not legal and the doctor could be in trouble if reported, but that is SOLELY a guess.

If I were you, I'd start documenting every single thing the ob/gyn office says to you. Date, time, exact quote. Ask them to put in writing exactly why they won't serve you, or ask them to specify in writing that they want the agency to pay upfront. If they put it in writing for you, I'd then make numerous copies, and start sending copies out to people... whatever organization licenses the office, the medical ethics board, the better business bureau, your senators and representatives, the mayor... everyone.

What the doctor is doing is NOT okay. If the office accepts Medicaid in every other case, they should accept it in yours. Period.

((Hugs)) and I'm sorry.

P.S. I am glad to hear you are still looking into other options besides adoption. It really IS a good idea to have both a parenting plan and an adoption plan in place. Giving birth might change things for you... I was overwhelmed after my daughter's birth, I had NO idea how motivating my love for her would be after meeting her, seeing her. I now wish I"d had a parenting plan in place.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Some adoption agencies are not financially trustworthy, and your doctor may have run into a few of them. One would think that Medicaid would pay the bills, but when it come down to payment, they push the bill back to the patient or the adoptive parents.

This is just an example of how, when people need help, they are buried in confusion and red tape to a point where they don't know what to do. First, get on the phone to Medicaid. Find out what the rules are and where you should go for prenatal treatment. Forget the adoption agency. They can come into the picture later, if need be.

There are many clinics that take care of young mothers. Almost every hospital has them, and they have good, conscientious doctors. They also accept Medicaid payments and will help you make that big decision about whether or not to keep your baby.

Good luck, and remember...if you don't ask questions, you'll never know the answers.

Answer 3

I am so sorry this is happening to you. I think you should discuss your options with the Adoption agency. Have they let you know what will happen if they pay for your care and you change your mind? The reason I ask is the Doctor is probably aware of what the states laws are in the state you live. Most the time you will not have to pay this back so I think the Doctor may be aware of this and would like to get full payment, since Medicaid works out deals with the Doctor. Consider your options on the adoption. You will be able to make the right decision. If you would like to talk, you can contact me at [e-mail]. I am an Adoptive Mother who wishes she could talk to her own children's Birth Moms! Best of Luck making your decision and getting this Medicaid/ Agency taken care of!

Answer 4

Something weird here. Have you called the docs office yourself to try to clarify what is going on? If not, I would do that. Your medicaid, not the agency, should be handling your doctor's bills. I'm wondering if the doctors office has some concerns about the legitimacy of the agency you have chosen. Or, they might've been burned by an agency in the past, so they are being extra cautious this time around. I would call the doctor's office for a better explanation and the Medicaid office (to verify that you are enrolled for coverage).

Answer 5

I would be really cautious about having the adoption agency and ESPECIALLY the adoptive parents be responsable for the costs. You already have medicaid, you can change doctors on your own. Just look through the list of providers, which should be available online.

When you make an adoption decision pre-birth, it's important to remember that you are not yet a birthparent, nor are the adoptive parents the parents. You reserve the right at any time to choose to parent your child. Create a parenting plan that will include where you will go home with the baby, how you would arrange for a car seat, etc etc BEFORE assuming you will choose adoption.

Also, remember the adoptive parents can wait, while you get to experience time with your child WITHOUT pressure to relinquish. There is no reason to make this decision before the birth.

If you set yourself up to have NO options once the baby is born , then you will be forced by circumstance into complying with the adoption decision, rather than deciding after you have the baby if what you really want is to part with your child, or setting up a situation where you prove to yourself that it's not possible to keep your child.

(And I'm betting it IS possible to keep your child, so don't surround yourself with people who will tell you otherwise, unless you are truly homeless/drug addicted/or a danger to your child!!!)

Answer 6

This sounds very fishy. I would contact the clinic manager and find out what is going on. If he had you as a patient, he can't drop you unless if feels he can't care for you properly such as high risk. I know some Dr only take some many Medicaids a month but you said he already accepted you. He may think there will be some problem with the agency and getting paid. Contact a lawyer and perhaps the medical ethics board
and God bless you

Answer 7

I am so sorry to hear you are going through this...especially since you are doing a totally mature thing by having all options open and looked into for you and your baby's sake.

I'm wondering how people/society would act/respond to something posted in the local newspaper about this and how the doctors office is treating you and denying care to you and your unborn child......... I think you might want to look into that and it might be a rude awakening to them and their other patients......

I know you feel comfortable with this doctor...or at least in the past since you have been seeing this doctor for years.....but I really think you should consider finding a new doctor for your own safety! If they feel this way about you and are expressing it out loud.....who knows if you will even get the proper treatment or something worse.....

contact a few newspapers....lawyer etc...as well as find a new and better doctor.

Good luck to you and best wishes!

Answer 8

Hey, ya know what, you're entitled to a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
I'm a birth mom and when I was in the Hospital, I encountered rude people, professional docors and nurses. I took their crap and made it through.
your doctor is a jerk.
switch to a good one with morals similar to your own.
THREATEN TO TAKE THIS MATTER TO THE MEDICIAL BOARD. You don't have to actually do it, just threaten it.
Medicaid will cover the pregnancy and delivey and your postnatel care until 6 months up to a year after the birth, regardless as to whether or not you keep it.
Don't worry so much, the doctors nowadays are able to refuse birth control pills if they feel its wrong.

1. talk to your current doctor, if he/she still feels the same, threaten to report him.her to the states medicial board.
2. give it a day or so for him/her to reconsider.
3. Find another doctor forthe birth anyways, just so its easier on you. Your Medicaid provider should have a directory of doctors in your area that accept medicaid and are respectful towards birthmothers.
4. Have the baby, with peace of mind.


I had a nasty nurse visit me in my rooms for all 3 pregnancie, and she always had nasty comments about my age, parenting capabilities, her view on the adoption, and how I wasn't waking up with the baby as she wanted because she didn't want to be feeding and changing his diapers and such. This past weekend, my brothers girl had a baby, and guess who still worked there, Jean. There was a young, scared girl in there about to deliver at 20 weeks, and she complained andsniveled the whole time.

I still need to file a complaint with the states med board about her. That woman has no right to say what she does.

Answer 9

That is so stupid!! Change doctors for your baby's sake. Deal with the issues later. Report the doctor to Medicaid. I don't know for a fact, but I don't think that a doctor has a right to refuse services to you if you have a valid medicaid account.

Answer 10

Wow isn't that discrimination or something like that... I don' think that your Dr. can not provide you medical care because you are thinking about placing your baby for adoption.. What an idiot your Dr. is...I would defiantly find another one that will take you... If you ever want to talk about adoption or anything I could help you... I have a three year old son.. If you want any advice or help on anything you can send me a email.. [e-mail]...Thanks. I hope that you will get the answers you need...