Can my ex-doctor’s office get in trouble for patient abandonment?
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Can my ex-doctor’s office get in trouble for patient abandonment?
I have been a patient at this particular office for a little over 3 years. I had an excellent relationship with my doctor, however I received a letter in the mail about 10 days ago stating my they had been discharged. I was then given gave other physicians’ office numbers but none are accepting new patients. I am on medications that are dangerous to just stop taking. I only have about a week worth of medication left. I am very anxious and worried I don’t know what to do. Can they really just do this to me and all of the rest of his patients?
Asked on February 17, 2016 under Malpractice Law, Indiana
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Yes, they can do this. Doctors are not just doctors: they are in essence also private businesses. The law does not make any business, including a doctor's office, keep a client/patient/customer it does not wish to keep for some reason. Doctors are allowed to decide who to see, and who to not see, and may drop established patients the same way that lawyers, accountants, plumbers, cleaning services, etc. can decide to stop serving some customers.
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