Dr. Discontinued My Care

[DoctorBlind]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NY

I wrote so much and my laptop died... the battery.

I'll have to make this brief then. I'd first like to know what the law says about ending a patient/physician relationship? I have no clue what the ethics are behind this, but it happened unfairly. I wasn't even warned because my relationship with my doctor was always good. the last appointment with him was also VERY GOOD.
The day I was told I was not going to be treated by their clinic anymore, they stated I was late for the appointment. Complete lie or they made a mistake in the scheduling dept. I was so sick and DESPERATE I heard for sure what time to be there & I was.

Receptionist - extremely abrupt, rude and embarrassed me in front of the entire waiting room. She then brings says something along the lines of this "Well, the dr cannot see you until your balance is paid off anyway". It was a 20.00 balance that I paid right there.
After paying the receptionist stated that I would be seen in an hour. I waited. A nurse I had seen previously, who didn't see eye to eye with me (nor my doctor in terms of treatment) was the one to tell me I could no longer be seen there. Shocked, humiliated and devastated was what I was when I walked out of there. I knew that was why I was treated like garbage, because they'd never see me again.

That was one of the worst experiences of my life. One reason being because of the fact that i was so ill and had 30 days to get a new GI specialist. That's pretty much impossible in upstate NY.

I just feel that I was disrespected and unfairly dropped from their practice. Can anyone give any insight as to what is ethically right and wrong in this situation?

 

[xylene]

Step one

Write (in writing, not a phone call or in person visit) to the DOCTOR and ask him to please send you a written explanation of why you were dropped.

Everything else depends on that.

 

[tranquility]

There is always a reason. No one suddenly changes a long-standing relationship without there being something which precipitated it.

Do what xylene said, but the bottom line is that you need to concurrently look for another doctor. I bet the doctor's response will not win the OP the lawsuit lottery.

 

[DoctorBlind]

I had written the entire situation and it got erased, my comp. turned off. It would have explained better.

I know exactly why they dropped me.. Because I'm a proactive patient, that wont let a doctor do whatever they want with my body. It's my right as a patient to choose treatment A & not B, ect. The woman nurse and I did not agree. She just did not like me because I didn't do what she wanted. Plain & simple. The doctor was who I felt comfortable trusting in regards to my treatment because we agreed on many levels. For instance, she was insisting that I take the 60mg of prednisone. Thats A LOT of steroids to take, I tried 40mg first. If you know what prednisone is, you'd do the same especially if you were my age (33) with Osteoporosis.
& The doctor, of course put the discharge in writting, it's was very general and they used the excuse of the missed appointment and disagreement in treatment recommendations. which is not true. Like I said the doctor and I had the same perspective when it came to my treatment. He was trying to get me off steroids and the nurse was a steroid pusher.
I'm not trying to sue a passive doctor that lets his nurse or PA run the show, I just would like to know to have the knowledge what crosses the line legally when it comes to something like this.

 

[DoctorBlind]

There is always a reason. No one suddenly changes a long-standing relationship without there being something which precipitated it.

Do what xylene said, but the bottom line is that you need to concurrently look for another doctor. I bet the doctor's response will not win the OP the lawsuit lottery.

The what who??? OP lawsuit lottery... LOL what are you talking about Again in English or in other words.. LAYMENS Terms

 

[Antigone*]

The what who??? OP lawsuit lottery... LOL what are you talking about Again in English or in other words.. LAYMENS Terms

Find a new doctor.

A law suit won't help you.

 

[tranquility]

I know exactly why they dropped me.. Because I'm a proactive patient, that wont let a doctor do whatever they want with my body

I see. Then, yes, they can discontinue your care reasonably. Having 30 days before a routine appointment, seems reasonable enough.

Get another doctor.

 

[ecmst12]

The doctor can drop you for pretty much any reason as long as he gives you proper written notice and continues to see you for any emergency issues during the 30 day notice period.

 

[xylene]

you've got it all figured out then.

Ask the DOCTOR in writing.

A nurse, whether they dislike or love you is NOT a doctor btw.

 

[ecmst12]

A smart doctor will want to keep his nurses happy though.

 

[lealea1005]

The doctor, of course put the discharge in writting, it's was very general and they used the excuse of the missed appointment and disagreement in treatment recommendations.which is not true

But you said.....

For instance, she was insisting that I take the 60mg of prednisone. Thats A LOT of steroids to take, I tried 40mg first.

There is the "disagreement in treatment recommendations".
Disregarding your MD/NP's prescription instructions and self prescribing can be dangerous to your health, and is a major liability for the Physician. The particular dosage is prescribed for a reason, not arbitrarily pulled out of the air. If you had questions/concerns you should have/could have scheduled an appointment to discuss them specifically.

The Physician does not need to give you a reason for discharge from his/her practice. As already stated several times, s/he is responsible to treat you on an emergent basis only for 30 days past the date of the exit letter or until you find another Physician, whichever comes first.

 

[lealea1005]

A smart doctor will want to keep his nurses happy though.

If it's ok with you, I'll copy this and post it in our office...lol.

 

[ecmst12]

Sure, go ahead!

 

[Ozark_Sophist]

A smart doctor will want to keep his nurses happy though.

I keep the receptionists happy, the van driver happy... heck, I even try to keep the janitor happy.

 

[ecmst12]

The janitor is one of the most important people for the practice! Who would want to be a patient at a dirty dr's office?