What if my doctor is refusing to see me?
Asked by: Shawn Friesen I | Last update: July 3, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (24 votes)
What to do if a doctor refuses to see you?
The best way to recover compensation after being refused treatment is to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Even if your claim doesn't line up perfectly with EMTALA, you can file a medical malpractice lawsuit for negligence.
What is it called when a doctor refuses to see a patient?
Patient abandonment is a type of medical malpractice. It comes into play when a physician prematurely abandons a doctor-patient relationship with no notice and/or without a reasonable excuse. There's a fine line, and understanding what constitutes this potentially-devastating act of abandonment is important.
Can a doctor refuse to see you anymore?
Yes, your doctor can stop treating you for any non-discriminatory reason.
Can a doctor choose not to see a patient?
Private doctors can refuse to provide treatment to new patients if: The doctor's office is not accepting any new patients. You are unable to pay for the costs of the treatment you need.
Can I Refuse to Work if the Employer's Doctor Says I'm Okay but I'm Still Hurt?
Can you sue a doctor for refusing to see you?
So, can you sue a doctor for refusing to treat you? If these or similar circumstances apply to you and the doctor's actions (or lack of action) result in an injury, your condition becoming chronic, or your condition worsening, you may have a medical malpractice case.
What to do if your doctor ignores you?
If you feel like you're not being listened to, find a second opinion or ask the physician to refer you to a specialist. If all else fails, bring a trusted friend or family member to your appointments to help you make your case.
Can a doctor just drop you as a patient?
California laws allow a physician to stop seeing a patient as long as the decision doesn't involve discrimination or prejudice, but you'll need to follow proper procedures. Without them, the Medical Board of California can charge you with unprofessional conduct for patient abandonment.
What is it called when a doctor ignores you?
It can even be dangerous because it can lead to missed diagnoses and improper treatment. Here, we'll talk about what medical gaslighting is, how to know it is happening to you, and what to do when your doctor doesn't listen and ignores your pain.
What not to say to your doctor?
- Yes, I'm taking my medications just like you told me. ...
- Nope, I'm not taking any prescription drugs or supplements right now. ...
- I didn't eat or drink anything prior to this surgery. ...
- I actually don't drink that much alcohol. ...
- Me, a smoker? ...
- Oh, I don't do drugs.
Why would a doctor reject a patient?
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.
What is an example of patient abandonment?
Leaving patients without licensed supervision (especially at a long-term care facility with no licensed person coming on duty). Sleeping on duty. Going off the unit without notifying a qualified person and arranging coverage of patients. Leaving in an emergency.
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 I sue my doctor for ignoring me?
You can sue a doctor for medical malpractice for ignoring your symptoms if the doctors actions contributed to damages and the ignoring qualifies as medical error/negligence. To prove cases like this there must be damages. If the doctor just ignores and it doesn't result in injury than there is no case worth pursuing.
Can a doctor blacklist a patient?
It would be unethical for a physician to put a note in your chart saying,”Do not treat this patient.” However, it is not illegal to note character information in your chart. (Andrew Lawrence Weitz, attorney).
What to do if your doctor doesn't respond?
Be persistent
If you don't hear back from your healthcare provider within two working days, Beck suggests calling or emailing again. In her experience, reaching out to someone else in the practice, such as another doctor, a physician's assistant or the practice manager, will expedite the response time.
What is medical gaslighting?
Medical gaslighting describes when health care professionals seem to invalidate or ignore your concerns. It can be linked to missed diagnoses, delayed treatment, and poor health outcomes. It might damage your trust in the health care system and make you less likely to seek care.
What to do if you can't see your doctor?
- Check the appointment options offered by your GP surgery. ...
- Speak to someone else in your care team or contact a pharmacist. ...
- Use NHS 111 or GP out of hours for urgent medical problems. ...
- Join our Online Community. ...
- Contact us. ...
- About our information.
Is ignoring a patient malpractice?
One of the central aspects of medical care is listening to the patient. After all, the field of medicine revolves around alleviating the pain and suffering of patients. However, there are several ways in which ignoring a patient's complaint can lead to serious malpractice claims.
Can a doctor remove you from their list?
If you've been violent, or have threatened to be violent, towards your GP or practice staff, and the police have been informed, the GP can remove you from their list immediately.
Can a doctor kick you out of their practice?
As physicians do not employ patients, they cannot “fire” them. But physicians can discharge patients from their medical practice for any legitimate and non-discriminatory reason, and thus terminate the doctor-patient relationship.
What to do when a doctor dismisses you?
Don't ask the doctor who is dismissing you for a referral. Your better bet is to find someone on your own, someone who is independent from the doctor who has fired you. Don't complain about the old doctor. It does not move you forward, and may give your new doctor a reason not to engage with you as a patient.
Can a doctor reject you as a patient?
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.
Why is my doctor dismissive?
There are many reasons why a doctor may dismiss a patient's symptoms. Implicit bias, stereotypes, and lack of experience can contribute to a provider dismissing a patient's concerns.
How to fight medical gaslighting?
If a physician dismisses a concern, you can request that they document their decision in your medical record. Two heads are better than one. If it is at all possible, bring a family member or friend to important appointments. They may hear something you don't, or they may ask a question you may not have thought of.