Dr. abandoned me for missing 1 appt

[JeffDevore]

I have a shattered leg with many pieces of metal and no knee cap. I have had this condition for many years and have been prescribed the same medicine(patches, oxycodone, endocet) for the last four years. I am in my 50's and also have cholesterol and other conditions. My doctor dropped me and only gave me 2 weeks to find a new doctor. Since then the messed up their "referral" and never sent it to the pain clinic, until my 2 weeks were up and the pain clinic they referred me to wasn't a p clinic that could help me anyway.

Do they have to give me a written notice? Are they allowed to only give me 2weeks or drop me at all considering I did nothing wrong and I followed all their rules and contracts. Isn't their a law against this sort of thing:?

[Tuckamore]

You're correct Jeff. This is a terrible time of the year to be looking for a physician...of any kind. The holidays have most of them stretched and their schedules stretched to the limit!!

However going to another PCP and then asking for a referral will take a very long time. Insist that your former PCP make a referral. Use the words "patient abandonment" when you talk to them again...and get the referral!

I wish you the very best. Please let us know how you are doing.

~Tuck

[namnam46]

I'm so sorry that you are having to go through this.  The only thing that you can do is to check with a lawyer but I REALLY don't think you have a leg to stand on since is isn't in your PM Contract.  Unfortunately, I'm not even sure that it would be considered abandonment SINCE she gave you 2 weeks worth of your medicines.  

I'm curious as you said that the PM Clinic they referred you to wasn't a PM Clinic that could help you.  What did you mean by that?  Why couldn't they help you?

As I said before, we've had this come up MANY times before here on MH and IF it isn't in your Contract they haven't had a prayer of getting any more meds from them.  Since there wasn't anything in your contract - your PCP was VERY kind to give you the 2 weeks worth.  She could have just said "so long" and sent you on you way without giving you ANYTHING at all to help you.  

I HOPE that you can get a new PCP QUICKLY so that you can get into another PM Doctor as soon as possible!!

I'm REALLY sorry that you found yourself in this position and ESPECIALLY with the Holiday's right now.

Looking forward to your update about the PM Clinic that couldn't help you.

Hoping you are able to have a Merry Christmas!!

Hope to hear back from you......Sherry

[JeffDevore]

My doctor still hasn't given me a referral. they told me they would make sure they got me into a place that is suitable within 2weeks and even wrote that in my records. I am going to try going to a new PCP to get me a referral on Monday. I have been having a very hard time getting a hold of anyone because of the Holidays. There is nothing about 30 days in my contract, are you sure there is no law pertaining to this. I still need to talk to a Lawyer and for some reason my doctor won't talk to me even though they told me they were calling another PMP for me and they never did. The only way I can talk to them is if I have someone else's phone and then they are just rude and won't let me talk to my doctor. They just tell me there is no way, no matter what, that she will talk to me.

[namnam46]

Hi Jeff,

I certainly DON'T want to contradict anyone on here, BUT all pain contracts are different. IF your pain contract DOESN'T state specifically that they WILL provide you with the 30 days worth of meds then they DON'T legally have to.  The reason I say this is that this problem has arisen MANY times before and it ALL depended on what the patients PM Contract said. :{

PLEASE re-read your pain contract and see what it says in conjunction with that.  Mine SPECIFICALLY spells it out that they WILL provide me with 30 days worth of meds IF yours doesn't then you are probably out of luck.  However, it wouldn't hurt to check with an attorney - but be sure that you have your pain contract with you when you do as it will probably ride on what the contents of it are.

I wish you the VERY best and hope that you can get another physician as QUICKLY as possible!!!

PLEASE keep us updated on your situation..........Sherry

[sandee1818]

Hi Jeff,
  I suggest speaking to your attorney concerning patient abandonment. it seems that they are just using the missed appointment as an excuse to fire you as a patient. You do have rights and it is up to you to see that your rights are considered.
They have an obligation to treat you for thirty days after they inform you of dismissal and provide with thirty days worth of medications.
I would suggest finding a PMP and then take the name and number to the Doctor and ask would they please send a referral and your records to them. If they will not do this then seek out another PCP and have then do the referral.
It is unfortunate your in this position but all to common these days. They do have the right to drop you as a patient but as I said you have rights also.

[Tuckamore]

I think something else may be going on that may have nothing to do with you. Their sudden change of behavior does not make sense.

Skmedlin is correct, in a perfect world they are either to taper you off the meds or provide you with that 30 day supply. Their obligation ends there. Just as you have a right to terminate your relationship with your medical provider...they have a right to terminate patients. However as early stated they can not abandon them. It appears that is what they have done with you.

An attorney may be of little help to you at this point. I'm not telling you not to seek legal counsel...I'm suggesting your best course should be to find another physician asap. As Skmedlin said, it gets stricter every day.

Hope you are able to find a resolution.

My Best,
~Tuck  

[JeffDevore]

Yeah I tried talking to my doctor and she is being very rude all of the sudden. She was very nice for all those years. She didn't care why I missed my appointment.

Thanx

[skmedlin27703]

They are supposed to taper you off your medicine... Did you try talking directly to your doctor? Explain why you missed your appt? Things are getting more strict every day...

[JeffDevore]

Thank You very much for your response.

I just wanted to clear some things up and see if you have any other advice. I wasn't in a Pain Clinic, I was going to a Family practitioner. She did give me a contract, but NOWHERE in it does it say anything about missed appts. Every doctor and pain clinic I have talked to wants a referral. So, would I go to a lawyer about the 30 day thing? Also, the records of my last day have a note from a nurse and my doctor and they completely contradict each other and make obvious lies. I'm just panicked right now, and am desperate for any help I get.

[Tuckamore]

He Jeff,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am so sorry to hear about your predicament.
My heart goes out to you.

Unfortunately a PM Clinic can discharge you....and in most cases for little reason. However they are to provide you with 30 days of medication. The problem is how are you going to enforce it? By all means you can and should report them but no remedy will come in time for you to obtain your other two weeks of medications.

Re-Read your contract. Most of them say that you must keep all scheduled appointments. It's my guess that is why the dismissed you. I am not sure you require a referral to see another PMP. I would try to make your own appointment.

Please let us know how you are doing. I wish you the very best.

Take Care,
~Tuck