Can a medical clinic ban a patient from their network?

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Can a medical clinic ban a patient from their network?

My fiance was struggling with an addiction a few months ago. Because of the addiction he would seek medical care continuously and become belligerent when he was refuse. He has since been clean and hasn’t sought out treatment almost 6 months. He was injured at work and was taken to the ER. As part of the follow-up, he was supposed to make an appointment with occupational health but when he called to make the appointment he was told he was banned from this hospital’s network and would need to seek treatment elsewhere. Is this legal? As this is a worker’s comp case?

and the company he works for chose this network. Also, what happens if there insurance only covers this network?

Asked on August 22, 2016 under Malpractice Law, Wisconsin

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 7 years ago | Contributor

Yes, it is perfectly legal: any business, including a medical clinic, may ban any customer who has previously, as you describe, been "belligerant" at that business or to its employees; the law does not require business to render services to anyone who is disruptive or a potential threat. It does not matter if there are not other good options (e.g. other than paying out of pocket for a different clinic or provider) for the banned customer; the law does not let your fiance's desire for or interest in affordable car override the clinic's right to ban disruptive or belligerent persons.


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