My Dr. kicked us out of the practice!! (Long tale ahead!)

[Just Jan]

OK, not exactly the same situation, but similar. My husband isn't a regular dr appt kind of guy but I did convince him to go for a physical. He called the office that we both attend & they told him that because he hadn't been in awhile they shredded his records. He decided to just find another doctor. When he made his new appt. they told him it was illegal to do what they did. I guess it would be best to just find another doctor-I know it's tough when you like the one you have.

 

[Mermaid02]

Just want to say that I work in a dr's office and when the doc is behind and someone OFFERS to reschedule we are MORE than grateful! At our office you would have gotten your rx and been scheduled pretty much at YOUR convenience.

When we do dismiss patients (usually for being abusive to staff or repeatedly not showing up for appts) a letter is sent certified, requiring a signature and we still see the patient for 30 days for anything acute or medications related. To just up and abandon a patient taking Zoloft is not ethical- this is a medication you must be weaned off and you need to do that under a physician's care.

Sorry this happened to you- find another doc asap and be glad to be done with a wretched office manager!

Also- we only require a 2 hour notice of cancellation of an appointment- things happen and people have lives... we are very busy and could easily fill an appointment with 2 hours notice!

 

[Rebelmom67]

Did you even read the message? The front office told them they had a 2 hour wait. That's ridicious. The front office should have called them if they were 2 hours behind and had them rescheduled. There is definitely something wrong with this office. You don't become 2 hours behind every appointment unless someone is overscheduling. Personally, I wouldn't go with doctor like that. I think 1/2 hour is okay but not 2 hours.

For the OP, I would demand a copy of my medical records right away. This office seem way too fishy. I'd be afraid of what they would do with them. And, I'd definitely report them.

I read the message just fine.

OK, I was trying to HELP the dr by trying to re-schedule. He was BEHIND by 2hrs at this point, and we were the LAST appt of the day. Also I did not mention that someone who had already PAID his copay, got his money back, and left because he could no longer wait..he had an 11:30 appt, and at 3:20, he was STILL waiting. I did show up for the appt though..its not like I did not show.

Showing up for an appointment and then leaving is still considered breaking an appointment.

 

[Pigeon]

I would also pay a visit to rateMDs.com, both to rate the old doc and check out the new. I find that site very useful, not so much for the actual medical care a patient receives, but to find out how the office runs and what the docs bedside manner is like.

 

[Rebelmom67]

Well the office manager of the practice is his wife, and she is NOT a nice woman. I have had issues with her in the past. I try to explain to her, and she basically argues with me over the Rx(which is my DH's Zoloft, not a narcotic or anything like that) and tells me I know how the Dr is, and I should have been prepared...I was pretty upset, and I dont remember how the whole conversation went, but I know she offered me discharge papers at one point. I told her I did not want to leave the practice, I just wanted to try and help them out. She finally relents, giving me a 2 week Rx, telling me she would NEVER do it again, and she schedules me for 4/17 at 8:45a. I thank her and leave.

You have had "issues" with the office manager in the past, I'm sure this is noted in your chart and will only work against you.

You were upset and don't remember how the conversation went and she issued you discharge papers. It sounds like things were pretty heated and maybe she did feel you were hostile or abusive.

One more thing, why were you talking to the front office about your husband's appointment and not him?

 

[DawnCt1]

You should have been sent a certified/registered letter that you had to sign for. If they sent you a first class letter, that you didn't receive, you had no way of knowing that they have "terminated the relationship". I wouldn't go back to that practice for all of the tea in China, but I would send him a certified letter that HE had to sign for, explaining what happened and why YOU will never return to that practice. This is a good example why spouses should never be involved with their spouse's practice.

 

[RitaZ.]

This is a good example why spouses should never be involved with their spouse's practice.

ITA!

 

[Dax]

You have had "issues" with the office manager in the past, I'm sure this is noted in your chart and will only work against you.

You were upset and don't remember how the conversation went and she issued you discharge papers. It sounds like things were pretty heated and maybe she did feel you were hostile or abusive.

One more thing, why were you talking to the front office about your husband's appointment and not him?

I see that you are trying to pin this all on me...Once again, the issues I have had with the wife were issues with OFFICE STAFF itself...She also has made accomadations for my husband and myself mutliple times. It was not an ALL negative relationship, just things here and there over a 10yr period.

I also was not GIVEN the discharge papers at that time, but she asked me if I wanted to leave, and I said NO.

And as for why was I involved with my DH's appt? Are you kidding me.. I love my DH, but when it comes to things like his medical health, and other things, I lead the charge. I AM ALSO A PATIENT WITH THIS DR. We used to see him together, till the office made a stupid change to their policy that does NOT allow spouses in the office together anymore...which I posted about here on the DIS. So that is why I was involved in my DH's appt...not that that is your business how I work my marriage.

 

[Dax]

You should have been sent a certified/registered letter that you had to sign for. If they sent you a first class letter, that you didn't receive, you had no way of knowing that they have "terminated the relationship". I wouldn't go back to that practice for all of the tea in China, but I would send him a certified letter that HE had to sign for, explaining what happened and why YOU will never return to that practice. This is a good example why spouses should never be involved with their spouse's practice.

This is what I thought...they say they sent a letter, but to an old address..so if it was certified, should it not have been sent back...?

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Dr.s can dismiss patients from their practice.

I would go to your insurance CO and complain and also to your state medical board. I would not try to get reinstated -they sound like they are very disorganized and poorly ran.

Ditto.

 

[DawnCt1]

I see that you are trying to pin this all on me...Once again, the issues I have had with the wife were issues with OFFICE STAFF itself...She also has made accomadations for my husband and myself mutliple times. It was not an ALL negative relationship, just things here and there over a 10yr period.

I also was not GIVEN the discharge papers at that time, but she asked me if I wanted to leave, and I said NO.

And as for why was I involved with my DH's appt? Are you kidding me.. I love my DH, but when it comes to things like his medical health, and other things, I lead the charge. I AM ALSO A PATIENT WITH THIS DR. We used to see him together, till the office made a stupid change to their policy that does NOT allow spouses in the office together anymore...which I posted about here on the DIS. So that is why I was involved in my DH's appt...not that that is your business how I work my marriage.

Dax, you did nothing wrong. You and your DH are patients, thats true, but you are also 'customers' who pay for the service, either directly or via your insurance, and you were treated poorly. It could be that he has more patients than he can handle right now; that is true of many docs in Fla. and they are looking for an excuse to 'cull the herd'. No matter. He doesn't deserve your business. I would send him a letter telling him that the manner in which the office has been run is unprofessional. I would also NOT pay for the copies of the records. He has discharged your family. You are entitled to those records at his expense, not yours. If they hesitate in giving them to you, call ahead, tell them you will be in to pick them up in 48 hours, that should give them time, and go get them. If they aren't ready, just smile your nicest smile and say, "no problem, I have all day". Take a book and sit in the most conspicuous spot in the waiting room. They will hurry along!

 

[kidzmom3]

honestly, it sounds like you have had problems with the office before. Even if you have had good times also, its always the bad things that are written down and remembered. Even your statement that they made a "stupid" rule. If someone makes a new rule for their business, they clearly do not perceive it as stupid. But you did, so there was a difference in philosophy that began a while ago. If she got to the point of offering you discharge papers that day, you were insisting on something they did not want to give you. The doctor and office have no obligation to speak with you about your husband, his medical records or his prescriptions. You do not have the legal right to request his medical records (copies or fax to new doctor). You should each separately request your records (which you will have to pay a reasonable amount for). There are recommendations for discharging a patient from your practice (that are ethical), but there are no laws or rules (at least in MA where I am familiar with the laws). What they would have to do, is if you were in their office in a truly, medically emergent situation, hey would have to stabablize and call an ambulance to take you to the ER.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

They were running four hours behind in appointments. They should have apologized to you for the long anticipatied wait, and asked if you wanted to reschedule. You were there for your appointment on time, this is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. The office is VERY poorly run. The doctor really needs to fire his wife and hire a new office manager who knows what that are doing.

 

[MushyMushy]

Actually a physician who treats the family is "less rigid" about HIPAA than you imagine. If there is a relationship with the physician, who understands that the spouse accompanies the patient to appointments and assists with planning, prescriptions. If its a 'problem' for the practice, a simple "permission" obtained from the patient is all that is needed. Don't forget; physicians of patients who are hospitalized communicate with families all of the time.

That's absolutely true with our doctor. My husband and I would sign whatever on earth we need to sign to be able to share all of our medical needs.

I hate HIPAA.

 

[kidzmom3]

Actually a physician who treats the family is "less rigid" about HIPAA than you imagine. If there is a relationship with the physician, who understands that the spouse accompanies the patient to appointments and assists with planning, prescriptions. If its a 'problem' for the practice, a simple "permission" obtained from the patient is all that is needed. Don't forget; physicians of patients who are hospitalized communicate with families all of the time.

any doctor who communicates with a hospitalized patients family members without proper documentation for Hippa. (a signed release from the patient, health care proxy or power of attorney) is directly in violation of the law and could be subject to fines of up to $10,000 per instance. Now, most people want the doctor to talk to their family and could care less so no consequences for doctor. Others, will complain to the federal agency and the doctor and hospital will be in big trouble. This happens, whenever it does I am directly involved. many people think these laws are great and if you don't follow them strictly, they will get you in trouble EVERY time they interact with a medical facility.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Dax, you did nothing wrong!!!

Hey, you do not want to deal with this practice ever again anyhow....
Ten years is quite a while, and I suspect that things have gone downhill with these people. I could have described my endocrinologist and her practice the exact same way you describe this doctor... verbatim... But, sadly, I have realized at my last visit that things are just not right there... (she needs to retire???) and I will be seeking a new endocrinologist.

Find a better practice and move on.

PS: Yes, I would report the inapapropriate refusal to provide services to wherever these things are reported to.

 

[Wishing on a star]

My husband has supported me on medical visits....
especially if there was any stress or difficulty involved.

What the heck is wrong with that????

Anybody who is looking to attack the OP on that one issue is simply WAY out of line.

 

[Dax]

Maybe the fact that he is on Zoloft indicates that he may be depressed and not as assertive as he would be if he were "himself". That would be a clue for me.

Since my DH is suddenly being looked at, he has issues in his past, and he does not handle well in situations. I have a copy of DH's medical card, and I also had the credit card that was going to pay for the appt. I guess that makes my DH less of a man...BTW, he was standing RIGHT next to me during the whole thing.

Yes he is on Zoloft because he has depression issues, as do I..With his wife being unemployed, and not sure how we are going to live from day to day..anyone would be depressed. He has been on the meds for YEARS, and it has helped my DH a lot...

 

[CarolAnnC]

I think if anyone shows up at the correct time for a doctor appointment, and they are told they will be waiting at least two hours to be seen, that is a case of the doctor breaking the appointment, not the patient. After all, the patient arrives on time, it was the doctor who was unable to fulfill the appointed time.

Sounds as if this office staff was very cavalier, and they may want to reconsider how they do business with so many folks losing their jobs, health insurance, and ability to pay doctor bills. Good paying clients are getting a tad harder to come by these days.

Good luck OP with you new doctor search - you will be better off in the long run.

 

[DawnCt1]

My husband has supported me on medical visits....
especially if there was any stress or difficulty involved.

What the heck is wrong with that????

Anybody who is looking to attack the OP on that one issue is simply WAY out of line.

Nothing wrong with that at all. Heck, when I had my rotator cuff repaired, my surgeon sent DH a copy of the interroperative report, the one that starts with
"The patient was prepped and draped in the usual manner..." and gets gory from there. Nope, I didn't sign to have it released and it was fun to read, after I recovered.