Is it ethical for a doctor to deny treatment to a patient who Cannot afford an operation?
Asked by: Prof. Dashawn Rogahn MD | Last update: September 25, 2025Score: 5/5 (18 votes)
Can doctors refuse to treat patients who can't pay?
Ability to Pay
Some medical providers may consider refusing to treat because of the patient's inability to pay for treatment. Generally, in non-emergency situations, this is allowed. A private internist, for example, might refuse to schedule a patient's appointment if that patient has unpaid medical bills.
Is it ethical for a doctor to refuse treatment?
A consensus exists among legal and bioethics experts that doctors can refuse to provide treatment in certain situations. For example, courts have ruled that doctors may refuse to treat violent or intransigent patients as long as they give proper notice so that those patients can find alternative care.
Can a doctor refuse to do a surgery?
A physician can refuse to perform a procedure that is outside their scope of practice. Of course if a physician has no duty to the patient they cannot be forced to treat that patient, or perform a procedure on that patient, even if it is appropriate and within their scope of practice.
Can a doctor refuse to treat a non-compliant patient?
These noncompliant patients increasingly will find themselves rejected by physicians, as current legal and ethical standards generally grant physicians full autonomy in deciding which patients to treat.
Can doctors deny treatment?
Can you refuse to see a patient if they owe money?
Unless there is a state law to the contrary, although non-payment is a valid reason to terminate a patient, a patient cannot be refused care while still in the practice because they have not yet paid. This would actually constitute “internal abandonment.”
Can a doctor refuse to treat a patient for being rude?
Nearly all HCPs agree that when patient behavior is getting out of hand, they have the right to refuse the patient.
When can a doctor refuse to treat you?
The patient is disruptive or otherwise difficult to handle; The doctor does not have a working relationship with the patient's healthcare insurance provider; The doctor's personal convictions, such as a doctor refusing to perform an abortion for religious reasons or refusing to prescribe narcotics for pain; and.
Can doctors treat patients for free?
One legal way to provide free services is through a free clinic. These clinics have been approved by the appropriate governmental agencies and therefore are legally allowed to provide free services. There are other legally approved free or reduced service programs (like the Lion's Club for eye exams).
What is patient abandonment?
California defines patient abandonment as terminating the relationship without written notice to the patient. By law, the patient must have enough time to find another physician. If they decline further treatment or consent to the termination, however, they cannot legally claim abandonment.
Can you sue a doctor for denying treatment?
While there are many circumstances where refusal of care is permitted, there are still times when it constitutes medical malpractice. These cases must meet the four elements of malpractice under California law: Duty of Care: The provider or facility must have a duty to care for the patient.
What is unethical for a doctor to do?
Unethical behavior can range from process violations (patient information privacy violations) to violations of ethics regarding sexual contact with the patient. The study of bioethics is aimed at studying the interaction between doctors and patients from an ethics standpoint.
Is refusing medical treatment a human right?
at 331 (Stevens, J., dissenting) ( [A] competent individual's decision to refuse life-sustaining medical procedures is an aspect of liberty protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. ).
What is it called when a patient refuses treatment?
Informed refusal is where a person has refused a recommended medical treatment based upon an understanding of the facts and implications of not following the treatment. Informed refusal is linked to the informed consent process, as a patient has a right to consent, but also may choose to refuse.
Can I sue my doctor for not treating my pain?
The simple answer is yes. A physician may be sued for pain and suffering and other damages. Such a lawsuit typically arises in a medical negligence case, also known as a medical malpractice action, discussed below.
Can a doctor refuse surgery if you smoke?
Smoking and Refusal of Treatment
Physicians are discouraged from refusing treatment simply because they disagree with their patients' decisions or lifestyles. The authors contend that active smoking is not an appropriate basis for refusal of therapeutic treatment.
Can a doctor refuse treatment for non-payment?
If medical debt goes unpaid for a period of time, a hospital or other health care provider may decide to stop providing you services. In some areas, you may have few other options for medical care, but in other locations you should be able to find other health care providers to take care of your family.
Are doctors legally obligated to help?
Although most Good Samaritan laws apply only to care provided outside the hospital, Good Samaritan laws in California and Colorado explicitly protect physicians who provide Good Samaritan care in a hospital.
Can a doctor not charge a patient?
"No charge" visits are prohibited if they are part of a fraudulent scheme. For example, a no charge visit is still a patient care encounter and must be fully documented. Assume that a patient has severe asthma and is waiting out a one year preexisting illness exclusion in a health insurance policy.
Why is refusal of treatment an ethical dilemma?
When faced with a patient who refuses treatment, healthcare providers have limited options that are largely contingent on the patient's mental competency. They can respect the patient's decision, attempt to persuade the patient otherwise, or provide treatment despite the patient's refusal.
Can a walk-in clinic turn you away?
The law does not impose a duty to treat every patient who walks into a private medical office; however, there are several exceptions that do recognize a duty to treat certain patients. More important, it would be ethically impermissible to turn away a patient for whom this would mean certain injury.
Can a doctor refuse to refill a prescription if you owe them money?
While doctors generally have discretion over prescribing and refilling medications, there are cases where a refusal could cross into negligence—especially if it puts your health at risk.
Can doctors refuse to treat certain patients?
Physicians do not have unlimited discretion to refuse to accept a person as a new patient. Because much of medicine is involved with federal regulations, physicians cannot refuse to accept a person for ethnic, racial, or religious reasons.
How will you respond when a patient tells you they cannot afford the treatments you are suggesting they need?
There needs to be a firm policy on when your office will accept partial patients, or not treat those who can't pay for their care. If you and your patient can't agree on a fee – consider referring them to a local community hospital or clinic that offers low-cost or no-cost care to patients with financial stress.
Can you discharge a patient for non-payment?
Patients can be dismissed from a practice for nonpayment of fees, but this situation must be handled carefully. The physician should closely evaluate the need for continuity of care, and it is strongly recommended that dismissal for this reason only be used as a last resort.