Drs firing patients

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, did a fired patient actually tell you this? Did you ask why?

Yes. But it’s more than 1 person probably because I am a patient advocate.The problem is that there are not many options for people in places where options are limited or alternative care is subpar. I have heard this a few times from Mayo Clinics that are outside Minnesota, particularly in Jacksonville. But it is becoming more familiar across the board.
Is this legal to do to Medicare patients? These decisions are often made by clerical staff.
It’s Drs firing patients not patients firing drs.

Yes. It's completely legal. A doctor is a professional service provider that is being hire to provide services. If they don't like a client (patient), they can refuse to work for that patient just like any other professional service provider. The only provider/service area that HAS to see a patient is the Emergency Department at a hospital.

Doctors offices and hospitals are becoming less willing to put up with abuse from patients and their families. In a practice setting, patients are getting dismissed for "being annoying." They are being dismissed for being abusive to staff. Patients aren't dismissed for asking questions. They are being dismissed for refusing to follow a reasonable treatment plan. They are dismissed for demanding drugs or treatments which aren't suitable and which open the provider to liability. They are being dismissed because they make appointments and fail to keep them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a healthcare provider in a larger corporate type office and these are the most common reasons why patients get dismissed:
Threatening behavior
Persistent requests for pain meds
Refusal to follow specific treatment recommendations, like "get a biopsy"
Less commonly, it's due to divergent views on therapy:if you want to manage your thyroid disorder with massage and yoga, your endocrinologist will likely not concur

"Threatening behavior" to include threatening a doctor's ego, or threatening to call them out on their bullshit/pointing out a mistake/flaw that reveals they're not the godbeing they believe(d) themselves to be.

Does it feel good to joke about violence in Healthcare? Is it funny to you that patients regularly assault nurses and physicians? Real joke isn't it?

+1 I have colleagues who have been shot and/or permanently disabled by aggressive patients. Can’t believe you think this is some kind of joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The dentist is busy doing other general dentistry while the hygienist cleans. And those x-rays aren't free. Why are people acting like nobody has ever been to a dentist and it's all a mystery? The dentist isn't twiddling his thumbs watching the hygienist works. In that same hour multiple services are being performed. Also the cleaning may turn up a cavity and then suddenly "Jackpot!" Somehow these businesses stay afloat.

The dentist has to leave the patient he/she is working on to check on the one getting the cleaning, twice an hour. It's not like they can be in 2 places at once
That takes up time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a healthcare provider in a larger corporate type office and these are the most common reasons why patients get dismissed:
Threatening behavior
Persistent requests for pain meds
Refusal to follow specific treatment recommendations, like "get a biopsy"
Less commonly, it's due to divergent views on therapy:if you want to manage your thyroid disorder with massage and yoga, your endocrinologist will likely not concur

"Threatening behavior" to include threatening a doctor's ego, or threatening to call them out on their bullshit/pointing out a mistake/flaw that reveals they're not the godbeing they believe(d) themselves to be.

Tangible threatening behaviors I have seen:
-groping or trying to grope the staff
-striking health care providers/staff (multiple sherriff calls for this)
-telling staff they'll be waiting for them when they leave work
-comments about bringing weapons to harm staff
-racially/sexually abusive language
-threatening to sue/file a board complaint if there are ANY treatment complications. (Once you make that threat, you're out)
-saying "If you hurt me, I'm gonna hurt YOU". Even as a "joke". Nope. Go home with your abscess or whatever
-shooting the healthcare provider (Well, I didn't actually see this, just got a call about a colleague who was shot)
-ripping the credit card machine from the counter when the card is declined


So while PP may focus on ego-busting, there are real issues HCP's face daily.
And real reasons to sever a patient/provider relationship.
Patients have the right to seek treatment with providers they're comfortable with, and go from office to office until they find an acceptable fit. Providers also can choose to remain in their comfort zone while working with patients

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a healthcare provider in a larger corporate type office and these are the most common reasons why patients get dismissed:
Threatening behavior
Persistent requests for pain meds
Refusal to follow specific treatment recommendations, like "get a biopsy"
Less commonly, it's due to divergent views on therapy:if you want to manage your thyroid disorder with massage and yoga, your endocrinologist will likely not concur

"Threatening behavior" to include threatening a doctor's ego, or threatening to call them out on their bullshit/pointing out a mistake/flaw that reveals they're not the godbeing they believe(d) themselves to be.

Tangible threatening behaviors I have seen:
-groping or trying to grope the staff
-striking health care providers/staff (multiple sherriff calls for this)
-telling staff they'll be waiting for them when they leave work
-comments about bringing weapons to harm staff
-racially/sexually abusive language
-threatening to sue/file a board complaint if there are ANY treatment complications. (Once you make that threat, you're out)
-saying "If you hurt me, I'm gonna hurt YOU". Even as a "joke". Nope. Go home with your abscess or whatever
-shooting the healthcare provider (Well, I didn't actually see this, just got a call about a colleague who was shot)
-ripping the credit card machine from the counter when the card is declined


So while PP may focus on ego-busting, there are real issues HCP's face daily.
And real reasons to sever a patient/provider relationship.
Patients have the right to seek treatment with providers they're comfortable with, and go from office to office until they find an acceptable fit. Providers also can choose to remain in their comfort zone while working with patients

+1. I had to take a loved one to the ER last year and there was a sign in the waiting room that anyone exhibiting threatening, abusive, or violent behavior would be escorted out. I say good on the hospital. I wish my school system would enact the same rules.

[Anonymous]

Interesting to read the thread. I have a dispute over a medical bill. It's only a few hundred but I believe the doctor used the incorrect assessment, leading to a higher bill. But in all the correspondence over finding explanations and information for how billing works, there was nothing but distinct hostility and clear unhelpfulness. Even a polite inquiry with a few questions was met with firm "I'm not talking about this any more" attitudes that completely contradicts all the typical health insurance promotional info on transparency and supportive advocacy on your behalf. The very moment you have a disagreement, no matter how mild, there is nothing but hostility and very firm firewalls blocking you from other people, even if just trying to get information.

It's my first real encounter with a dispute and the attitudes have made me disgusted with the whole system, so I'm not surprised why so many people have nothing but contempt for the industry. I definitely do not have the same respect and consideration I did for healthcare workers I did just a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to read the thread. I have a dispute over a medical bill. It's only a few hundred but I believe the doctor used the incorrect assessment, leading to a higher bill. But in all the correspondence over finding explanations and information for how billing works, there was nothing but distinct hostility and clear unhelpfulness. Even a polite inquiry with a few questions was met with firm "I'm not talking about this any more" attitudes that completely contradicts all the typical health insurance promotional info on transparency and supportive advocacy on your behalf. The very moment you have a disagreement, no matter how mild, there is nothing but hostility and very firm firewalls blocking you from other people, even if just trying to get information.

It's my first real encounter with a dispute and the attitudes have made me disgusted with the whole system, so I'm not surprised why so many people have nothing but contempt for the industry. I definitely do not have the same respect and consideration I did for healthcare workers I did just a few years ago.

Right. And then people on this thread get some whataboutism and start in on "what about the violent patients?!" Well, yes, fire the violent. But don't take your insecurities/feelings of lack of safety in your work environment out of the non-violent patients who are suffering. Offices add to the suffering with incompetence and attitude.

Two things can be true at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Covid has changed healthcare dramatically. Healthcare workers concerns are front and center and patient concerns are far down on the list. In the real world people work more than 40 hours a week, deal with unpleasant people and take their jobs seriously. If they don’t care about their career and, in most cases, exceed expectations they will be forced out and certainly not progress in their field. Healthcare workers hold your life in their hands and they know it and there’s a good chance they don’t care. Did you ever notice that when you have a problem (you’re in pain, a billing issue, you need to schedule an appointment, etc) you walk away knowing all their problems and don’t get resolution for what you came for (even though that’s what their job is).
When a savvy person is in need of medical care they learn early on that no one cares about them. If you’re smart you feed their egos and even bring treats if you’re in the system with a chronic illness.
And you pray, a lot, and hope you are not harmed physically or emotionally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to read the thread. I have a dispute over a medical bill. It's only a few hundred but I believe the doctor used the incorrect assessment, leading to a higher bill. But in all the correspondence over finding explanations and information for how billing works, there was nothing but distinct hostility and clear unhelpfulness. Even a polite inquiry with a few questions was met with firm "I'm not talking about this any more" attitudes that completely contradicts all the typical health insurance promotional info on transparency and supportive advocacy on your behalf. The very moment you have a disagreement, no matter how mild, there is nothing but hostility and very firm firewalls blocking you from other people, even if just trying to get information.

It's my first real encounter with a dispute and the attitudes have made me disgusted with the whole system, so I'm not surprised why so many people have nothing but contempt for the industry. I definitely do not have the same respect and consideration I did for healthcare workers I did just a few years ago.

Right. And then people on this thread get some whataboutism and start in on "what about the violent patients?!" Well, yes, fire the violent. But don't take your insecurities/feelings of lack of safety in your work environment out of the non-violent patients who are suffering. Offices add to the suffering with incompetence and attitude.

Two things can be true at the same time.

Well, medical billing is intended to be 99% automatic. That's why there are so many issues concerning fraud and why when it goes wrong it is a pain in the ass.

Things that are a pain in the ass are a rounding error compared to the lunatics and in some cases violent people of the general public medical professionals have to deal with on a daily basis. Those two things are most certainly true at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Covid has changed healthcare dramatically. Healthcare workers concerns are front and center and patient concerns are far down on the list. In the real world people work more than 40 hours a week, deal with unpleasant people and take their jobs seriously. If they don’t care about their career and, in most cases, exceed expectations they will be forced out and certainly not progress in their field. Healthcare workers hold your life in their hands and they know it and there’s a good chance they don’t care. Did you ever notice that when you have a problem (you’re in pain, a billing issue, you need to schedule an appointment, etc) you walk away knowing all their problems and don’t get resolution for what you came for (even though that’s what their job is).
When a savvy person is in need of medical care they learn early on that no one cares about them. If you’re smart you feed their egos and even bring treats if you’re in the system with a chronic illness.
And you pray, a lot, and hope you are not harmed physically or emotionally.

YES! I've learned more ingratiating behaviors (compliments, active listening as they trauma-dump, remembering their trauma-dump stories from visit to visit, bringing treats/sweets) dealing with whitecoats than I did in my abusive marriage. I divorced that guy; I can't divorce the entire US healthcare machine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to read the thread. I have a dispute over a medical bill. It's only a few hundred but I believe the doctor used the incorrect assessment, leading to a higher bill. But in all the correspondence over finding explanations and information for how billing works, there was nothing but distinct hostility and clear unhelpfulness. Even a polite inquiry with a few questions was met with firm "I'm not talking about this any more" attitudes that completely contradicts all the typical health insurance promotional info on transparency and supportive advocacy on your behalf. The very moment you have a disagreement, no matter how mild, there is nothing but hostility and very firm firewalls blocking you from other people, even if just trying to get information.

It's my first real encounter with a dispute and the attitudes have made me disgusted with the whole system, so I'm not surprised why so many people have nothing but contempt for the industry. I definitely do not have the same respect and consideration I did for healthcare workers I did just a few years ago.

Right. And then people on this thread get some whataboutism and start in on "what about the violent patients?!" Well, yes, fire the violent. But don't take your insecurities/feelings of lack of safety in your work environment out of the non-violent patients who are suffering. Offices add to the suffering with incompetence and attitude.

Two things can be true at the same time.

Well, medical billing is intended to be 99% automatic. That's why there are so many issues concerning fraud and why when it goes wrong it is a pain in the ass.

Things that are a pain in the ass are a rounding error compared to the lunatics and in some cases violent people of the general public medical professionals have to deal with on a daily basis. Those two things are most certainly true at the same time.

Thanks for sharing. Feel better?

Maybe that lunatic you’re dealing with has a terminal disease and is just trying to stay alive while dealing with a broken system.
Try giving a lunatic a break. You might realize who the real lunatic is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about these surveys that doctors send out after visits? I don't fill them out, even if I would like to give feedback, because I'm not sure that they are anonymous and fear that it is too easy to work out who gave certain answers. Does a patient risk being fired if they fill out the surveys?

I don't fill out surveys, and I only will write a review if I am 100% happy.

I fill them out honestly after I have decided to fire my doctor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to read the thread. I have a dispute over a medical bill. It's only a few hundred but I believe the doctor used the incorrect assessment, leading to a higher bill. But in all the correspondence over finding explanations and information for how billing works, there was nothing but distinct hostility and clear unhelpfulness. Even a polite inquiry with a few questions was met with firm "I'm not talking about this any more" attitudes that completely contradicts all the typical health insurance promotional info on transparency and supportive advocacy on your behalf. The very moment you have a disagreement, no matter how mild, there is nothing but hostility and very firm firewalls blocking you from other people, even if just trying to get information.

It's my first real encounter with a dispute and the attitudes have made me disgusted with the whole system, so I'm not surprised why so many people have nothing but contempt for the industry. I definitely do not have the same respect and consideration I did for healthcare workers I did just a few years ago.

Right. And then people on this thread get some whataboutism and start in on "what about the violent patients?!" Well, yes, fire the violent. But don't take your insecurities/feelings of lack of safety in your work environment out of the non-violent patients who are suffering. Offices add to the suffering with incompetence and attitude.

Two things can be true at the same time.

Well, medical billing is intended to be 99% automatic. That's why there are so many issues concerning fraud and why when it goes wrong it is a pain in the ass.

Things that are a pain in the ass are a rounding error compared to the lunatics and in some cases violent people of the general public medical professionals have to deal with on a daily basis. Those two things are most certainly true at the same time.

Jaysus... get a therapist!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, did a fired patient actually tell you this? Did you ask why?

Yes. But it’s more than 1 person probably because I am a patient advocate.The problem is that there are not many options for people in places where options are limited or alternative care is subpar. I have heard this a few times from Mayo Clinics that are outside Minnesota, particularly in Jacksonville. But it is becoming more familiar across the board.
Is this legal to do to Medicare patients? These decisions are often made by clerical staff.
It’s Drs firing patients not patients firing drs.

How are you a patient advocate if you don't know these things?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Covid has changed healthcare dramatically. Healthcare workers concerns are front and center and patient concerns are far down on the list. In the real world people work more than 40 hours a week, deal with unpleasant people and take their jobs seriously. If they don’t care about their career and, in most cases, exceed expectations they will be forced out and certainly not progress in their field. Healthcare workers hold your life in their hands and they know it and there’s a good chance they don’t care. Did you ever notice that when you have a problem (you’re in pain, a billing issue, you need to schedule an appointment, etc) you walk away knowing all their problems and don’t get resolution for what you came for (even though that’s what their job is).
When a savvy person is in need of medical care they learn early on that no one cares about them. If you’re smart you feed their egos and even bring treats if you’re in the system with a chronic illness.
And you pray, a lot, and hope you are not harmed physically or emotionally.

YES! I've learned more ingratiating behaviors (compliments, active listening as they trauma-dump, remembering their trauma-dump stories from visit to visit, bringing treats/sweets) dealing with whitecoats than I did in my abusive marriage. I divorced that guy; I can't divorce the entire US healthcare machine.

There is only one constant in your interactions.