you might be dismissed if are obnoxious or have no interest in adhering to treatment.
In such cases, there are steps you might take to ensure your health needs are met.
This article describes when the firing of a patient is acceptable and when it is not.
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In such cases, you may be forced either to pay out of pocket or to leave the practice.
A healthcare provider is not legally obliged to take your insurance or any insurance at all.
These are cases in which the firing is discriminatory or poses potential harm to a person’s health.
Ethics suggests what you should do, while legality is about what you are legally bound to do.
The provider is not obliged to find a replacement for the fired patient.
A few states mandate a formal written notification of the firing, including the reason for dismissal.
Others may suggest written notification but do not require a provider to state a reason for the firing.
Don’t let this get in the way of making a sound judgment.
After all, there are things you will need from your current provider to transition smoothly.
This includes:
It may not be a good idea to ask your current provider for a referral.
Is Your Health Provider Ignoring Your Needs?
These are components of a practice called “medical gaslighting.”
What Is Medical Gaslighting?
The cause of this is not always intentional.
The provider may be overworked, understaffed, or involved in a high-pressure field of medicine.
See how they respond to your concerns and if they listen fully.
Summary
A healthcare provider can fire you.
They can also end the relationship if the practice closes or they no longer accept your insurance.
American Medical Association.Terminating a patient-physician relationship.
Texas Medical Association.Firing patients.
O’Malley AS, Swankoski K, Peikes D, et al.Patient dismissal by primary care practices.JAMA Intern Med.
2017;177(7):1048-1050. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.1309
Medicare.gov.Does your provider accept Medicare as full payment?
Federal Register.Nondiscrimination in health programs and activities.
HIV.gov.What laws protect people with HIV or AIDS from discrimination?
CT.gov.Definition and description of acute care hospitals.
American Medical Association Code of Medical Ethics.Terminating a patient-physician relationship.
Harris County Medical Society.The health and well-being of patients depend upon a collaborative effort between the patient and physician.
American Medical Association Journal of Ethics.Repairing “difficult” patient-clinician relationships.
National Patient Advocate Foundation.How to talk to your doctor.
