Can my DR's office do this?

[sunnymw]

In a nutshell:

We vaccinated DS1 at birth, 2, and 4 months. He had a horrible reaction every time. I read, learned, researched. Decided to stop all vaccines until further notice. Current pedi (Dr H) was ok with this, not happy but okay.

When DS2 was born (DS1 was almost 2yo) I took him to the pedi. Dr H said because he had *NO* vaccines, we could not be in "his" practice (now, he is the youngest and newest guy in the practice...). So, upset, we leave.

I get a call back from one of the techs who we went to church with. She said they could just switch our file to Dr C, who says she was fine with us waiting until we were ready.

We saw Dr C for two years and she was nothing but phenomenal. Saw her for the last time sometime in 2009 when DS1 was having seizures and was admitted to the hospital.

After that we lost our insurance. Finally went through TODAY so I call and make an appt. Apparently, we have been dismissed from the practice for not vaccinating. No notice, no phone call, no letter, nothing. They're not sure that's exactly why, but it is their policy that all patients MUST vaccinate.

That is NOT what I was told by OUR doctor. She said we could do it WHEN WE WERE READY. (Ironically enough, I was making the appt to get the first round of vaccines). But, the staff lady said that once we were dismissed, we could never come back to that practice. Ever. I told her that what we DID was WITH FULL APPROVAL OF OUR PEDIATRICIAN, and she said she would have the office manager call me back.


Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
Dr C really is THE best doctor in town, hands down. Everyone goes to her, because she is the best. She listens to the parent. She is great. I WILL NOT see anyone else, short of finding someone just like her (there is one 4 hours away in Atlanta ).

So I'm upset. Really upset. DH is PISSED. Are they allowed to just fire us like that, for doing something that our own doctor approved of????



ETA: This isn't the first issue we've had up there. Staff is very rude but Dr C made it worth our while.

[Xerxella]

IMO - In short, yes.  As long as you are not currently under their immediate care (like you're in the hospital under their care) they can refuse to have you as a patient for not following their written guidelines (like vaxing).  You haven't seen the doc in over a year, so it would be easy to say you were not under their care. 

If you can ask to speak to Dr. C directly and ask to be her patient.  Also, keep looking.  Maybe post in the tribe area. 

Sorry. 

[raelize]

i would ask to speak to Dr. C also. we left a pretty good practice cause i did not like their office staff. they were rude and wouldn't make emergency appointments.  i'm glad i did cause i found the best doc, however, the doc can probably get you in if you speak with her.  but, in the future, the office staff will remember you - so by them some chocolates for valentine's day to butter them up.

[zebra15]

Yes, the office can dismiss you for whatever reason they see fit.  You are not an active member of the office, you havent seen the dr in 1+ years. *ins issues or not,) My current dr's office states they must see you yearly to keep current otherwise you are not a 'current' client of the office.   It sounds like you are in a practice of some sort that has an office manager, staff etc.  I've done the best with a small office and dealing with a dr and maybe an assistant.  The larger the office the less control the dr has.

Ive also left dr's because the staff was awful. The dr was wonderful but the staff was horrible and there was no way I was going to deal with the staff.

[cappuccinosmom]

Yep.  It might be worth a call to the doctor.  But a practice can dismiss you based on several things in your post. 

[Arduinna]

I would call and talk to the Dr herself or at least the nurse that works with her. I wouldn't take the word of someone sitting at the front desk.