When The Healthcare Provider And Patient Need To Part Ways

Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Feb, 2019

Occasionally patients are non-compliant with treatment care plans, are frequent no-shows, or the relationship between the healthcare provider and patient has deteriorated to the point that a meaningful treatment relationship ceases to exist.  When these situations arise, there are always questions as to how to terminate the healthcare provider-patient relationship.  There are some general guidelines to follow, such as providing the patient with a 30 day notice of termination.  Of course, if extenuating circumstances exist, the 30 day notice period may not be appropriate.  It is very important to prepare that written notice to the patient in such a way to avoid further aggravation of the situation, while at the same time making it clear why the relationship is being terminated.

Recently Physicians Practice has recently published a Provider-Patient Relationship Termination Checklist as a starting point.  Since every situation should be evaluated on its own, it may be appropriate to check with legal counsel in order to avoid more issues before taking steps to terminate a relationship with a patient.  Donna J. Craig, RN, JD of The Health Law Center, PLC assists healthcare providers in evaluating and implementing steps to terminate a relationship with a patient, when warranted.

View the checklist at Physicians Practice.