Breaking News
Home / Medicine & the Law / When a physician may refuse to treat a patient

When a physician may refuse to treat a patient

By Laura L. Katz, Esq. & Marshall B. Paul, Esq..

Physicians often feel compelled to terminate a relationship with a patient for reasons such as the patient’s failure to pay for the services, the patient’s failure to appear for appointments or take prescribed medications, the patient’s seeking services that are morally or religiously objectionable to the physician and/or the patient having a communicable disease. A physician’s desire to terminate the relationship, however, must be tempered by legal considerations. While the physician may withdraw from the physician/patient relationship under certain circumstances, the physician cannot just say “no” to providing the patient further care.

At common law, a physician did not have a duty to treat any patient as long as a relationship between the physician and patient did not exist. This so called “no duty rule” extended to a physician’s right to refuse to treat an individual in need of emergency care as long as there was no prior relationship between the physician and the patient. From a legal perspective, physicians were free to decline to treat an individual under circumstances that prevented a physician/patient relationship from coming into existence.

This no duty rule was based on the law of contracts and the notion that, to create a physician/patient relationship and the physician’s duty to treat, both parties had to voluntarily consent. In order to establish the duty bound relationship, the physician had to act affirmatively in a way that indicated an intention to treat the patient. The relationship could be established either expressly or impliedly.

A relationship is expressly established where the physician actually sees the patient. A relationship can be impliedly established in many more unexpected ways, even when there has been no direct contact between the physician and the patient. For example, if the physician agrees to treat a patient for a specific condition and schedules an appointment but the patient does not keep the appointment, a physician/patient relationship may still exist. As another example, a physician/patient relationship may similarly exist if an HMO patient’s primary care physician refers the patient to a specialist physician participating in the HMO and the specialist physician’s office gives the patient an appointment at a designated time and place.

Once a physician/patient relationship is established, the general rule is that a physician has a duty to continue to provide care to the patient until that relationship is terminated by the mutual consent of the physician and patient, the patient’s dismissal of the physician, the services of the physician are no longer needed or the physician properly withdraws from the physician/patient relationship. Various laws, including laws governing emergency treatment provided by hospitals and antidiscrimination laws, as well as certain ethical constraints, have significantly limited a physician’s ability to terminate the relationship.

The federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, commonly referred to as “EMTALA,” was enacted by Congress in response to a concern over “patient dumping” by hospitals refusing treatment of individuals who could not afford to pay for medical services. EMTALA imposes a duty on the hospital and its physicians to provide medical screening examinations and medical stabilization of all individuals seeking emergency care, regardless of the individual’s ability to pay. Under EMTALA, a patient cannot directly sue a physician for not complying with EMTALA’s requirements, but physicians may be subject to civil monetary penalties and may be subject to exclusion from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs for gross and flagrant or repeated violations of EMTALA.

Antidiscrimination laws also have affected the circumstances when a physician may deny medical care. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits an otherwise qualified individual with a disability from being excluded from or denied benefits of any program actively receiving federal financial assistance solely by reason of the individual’s disability.

The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 provides even broader protections for disabled individuals, including individuals who have a contagious disease. Title III of the ADA prohibits a place of public accommodation from denying an individual access to health care because of disability, unless the individual poses a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of others that cannot be eliminated by adequate precautions or reasonable modification of policies, practices or procedures. A disabled individual is one who has a physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of impairment, or is regarded as having an impairment.

In several cases, the courts have addressed the application of the ADA to a physician’s decision to refuse to treat a patient. For example, in the case of Bragdon v. Abbott, decided by the Supreme Court in 1998, the court found that asymptotic HIV infection is a disability under the ADA. Bragdon involved a dentist’s refusal to fill a cavity of an asymptotic HIV patient in his office, although the dentist was willing to treat the patient in a hospital at a higher cost to the patient. The patient sued Bragdon for violation of the ADA. The court ruled that asymptotic HIV constitutes a disability. The court’s decision speaks to health care providers’ legal obligation to treat HIV infected patients along with patients with other disabilities.

Ethical considerations may also limit the circumstances under which a physician can deny care to a patient. The American Medical Association Council of Ethical and Judicial Affairs has found it unethical to deny treatment to individuals because they are HIV positive.

Both the ethical opinions and legal precedents agree that a physician may not intentionally and unilaterally sever an existing relationship with any patient, unless the physician provides reasonable notice to the patient, in writing, and sufficient time to locate another physician. Failure of the physician to continue to provide care when the patient remains in need of care or failure to provide notice and an adequate opportunity for the patient to find another physician before the physician terminates the physician/patient relationship can be construed as the physician’s abandonment of the patient or dereliction of the physician’s duty if injury results. In addition to being exposed to liability for any damages that are caused by the abandonment or the breach of duty, the physician may be subject to disciplinary action under the state’s medical practice act. In Pennsylvania, a physician’s abandonment of a patient can result in disciplinary action against the physician and exposure to civil liability.

Even given these limitations, there are some circumstances when a physician can “fire” the patient in non-emergency situations. One such circumstance is the patient’s unwillingness or inability to pay. However, caution must be exercised in this situation. Courts are split on whether a patient’s inability to pay or lack of insurance justifies a physician’s termination of the physician/patient relationship, especially when the patient continues to require medical attention.

If the patient is not currently receiving treatment and fails to pay, the physician may terminate the relationship after giving the patient reasonable notice and sufficient opportunity to secure another physician. Similarly, at least one court has found that a physician may terminate treatment when the physician no longer participates with the patient’s health plan by informing the patient of the change and giving the patient a list of providers that participate with the health plan or obtaining the patient’s agreement to pay out-of-pocket for the medical services provided.

A physician is not required to prescribe or render medical treatment that the physician deems ethically inappropriate or medically ineffective. A physician may refuse to treat a patient when the physician has a moral or religious objection to the care that is sought by the patient. If a physician decides not to provide services to a patient on religious, ethical or moral grounds, the physician should discuss the reasons for the refusal with the patient, inform the patient of other resources or providers that can competently respond to the patient’s needs, and document the discussion with the patient in the patient’s medical record.

A physician may deny care when a patient requests services outside the physician’s area of expertise or office hours or at a location other than the physician’s office. Physicians also have the right to close their panels and to refuse to accept new patients when they do not have the capacity to treat additional patients.

In non-emergency situations, a physician is justified in refusing to treat unruly and uncooperative patients. If a patient refuses to follow the physician’s plan of care or to comply with an appropriate treatment regimen, the physician may unilaterally terminate the physician/patient relationship by giving the patient advance notice of the specific reasons for his termination. Assuming there is no change in the patient’s behavior after receipt of the notice, the physician may give the patient written notice of the effective date of termination of the relationship as long as the physician provides ample opportunity for the patient to secure a competent substitute.

A physician employed only for a specific occasion or service may be under no duty to continue visits or treatment thereafter. Examples are a surgeon who limits treatment to the performance of the operation and necessary aftercare or a physician who is called upon to consult on a one-time basis with the patient’s attending physician. In these situations, the physician may want to ensure that the patient has no expectation of repeat visits or continued treatment. Consequently, the physician should make sure that the patient understands the treatment is limited to a certain illness or injury or to a certain specified time and place and that another health care practitioner will be responsible for follow-up care.

In no case should the reason given to the patient for the denial of care be a pretext for discrimination. To avoid such an inference, the policy and procedures for termination of the physician-patient relationship must be uniformly applied and implemented by the physician in a non-discriminatory fashion. The physician should give the patient sufficient notice to find a new physician, assist in referral of the patient , provide the patient written notice or confirmation of the reasons for termination and include such documentation in the patient’s medical record.

In summary, the physician/patient relationship, which is similar to any contractual relationship, creates certain obligations. Assuming that a physician/patient relationship exists, a physician has a duty to treat and may not just say “no” to care of a patient without exposure to liability for abandonment of the patient and possible malpractice. A physician’s withdrawal from the relationship should not be attempted or accomplished during a time when the patient is in need of medical attention.

In every other instance, prior to withdrawal from or termination of the relationship, the physician should explain to the patient the reason why the physician is unable to attend to the patient’s needs and assist in the patient’s transfer to a competent substitute. Written documentation of the physician’s notification to the patient and of the referral sources or providers recommended to the patient will demonstrate that the physician has satisfied the conditions for proper withdrawal. Just as the physician must exercise reasonable care and skill in treating the patient, the physician must exercise reasonable care and skill in discontinuing the physician/patient relationship.

Laura L. Katz, Esq., and Marshall B. Paul, Esq., are partners in the Business Department of Saul Ewing LLP in Baltimore, Maryland.

19 comments

  1. James Pucciarelli

    I am currently in pain management for my severe spinal arthritis. I am 65 years old with chronic pain. I was prescribed 50 Mgs.ER of Oxycontin per 12 hours. I have been taking this perscription for the past 4 years and need an increase in my dosage. This has been refused on several requests. Due to not getting an increase I am finding myself in daily painful withdrawal. Even explaining my withdrawals in detail they just won’t increase my doseage. Can I sue my doctor for chronic pain discrimination?

  2. The medication I have been taking for years for ADHD is currently in a national shortage. My provider told me if I’m not working or going to school I don’t need to take this medication any longer. I do have insurance coverage, and don’t owe any money. I explained I have Multiple Sclerosis (in regards of the not currently working question). She then stated that wasn’t her specialty. She then stated if I’m not working or going to school by next month, she will terminate my care and I will need to find a different provider. Is it legal to discontinue a patient’s treatment because their not working or going to school when they have MS?

  3. I have a parasitic infection I strongly believe and no one believes me and it’s affecting my health

    • I’m pretty sure I have a parasitic infection and no one believes me and won’t treat me nor give me a referral and my health is debilitating in the mean time. I’ve been misdiagnosed over a year now and seen well over 4 different doctors

    • I also know I have a parasitic infection.. I have contacted the CDC many times.. NORD.. WHO.. NIH.. but they say no one can treat me cause I haven’t been out of the United States.. my PCP just marked me as crazy 😧😧😧.. I have been battling this for 4 years now.. Even tho I finally have a health department that believes me an has pictures of parasites from under a microscope he also cannot find help for me because.. I have not been out of the United States myself …it’s so sad! I really feel for you! DON’T GIVE UP! I’ve been to the point and so sick I just wanted to lay down and die … But everyday I press forward . Before I lay down I will publish it everywhere ! I know I’m not crazy and it has been proven that it’s real.. I wish we could help each other ! I’m so weak this took everything to write this to you! I wish I had your E-mail so we could get together on this.. may God bless you and help you!!

  4. Before I retired I went to a doctor relatively close to where I worked. Even though I live much further away now I keep seeing this doctor at least twice a year for well patient checkups and at other times if it’s convenient to drive there. I keep seeing him when I can because he’s very good and we have a good rapport. When I’ve needed to see someone else I’ve been to a practice that’s much closer many times. This practice has many times tried to pressure me to only see them. Today I tried to make another appointment with this second practice and was told they wouldn’t give me an appointment because I already had a “primary care physician.” I was surprised to find out that if I wanted an appointment I had to change to them. To paraphrase they said, if you don’t like it go see the other guy or go to urgent care. To me, something feels very wrong with this. I definitely have a relationship with both doctors but one wants more of my business and it’s leaving me feeling bullied.

    Comments? I have Medicare and BCBS insurance.

  5. Titisha S Jackson

    The emergency room doctor said he would prescribe me a Albuterol pump for my medical breathing situation then he said before I do I need to do a procedure he said he needed to do a sleep study through my veins I asked would it hurt he said yes probably so I started why couldn’t I go to the overnight sleep study with no pain I had already been there 5 hours my blood pressure was extremely high the reason I was there 229/139 I suffer from uncontrollable high blood pressure he left out came back in and stated it’s in his doctors law book that allows him to refuse to write the prescription he knows I needed because I refused to let him perform a procedure he wanted to do was he right doing this to me

  6. My Dr. I’ve had for years just removed me from her service claiming I violated our contract but I did not. They had a record of all of my medications, I think the real reason was that I filed a complaint against the physician because she refused to file the paperwork I need to get the insurance to pay for some medical equipment I need. This is not fair and I may contact my lawyer.

  7. Can a family practitioner that has been assigned refuse to see assigned patients because the patients are not 18yrs old. I have a daughter and son ages 15 and 16 whom have been seeing family medicine for 2 yrs but we just moved to new state and the place is telling us they cant see their primary assigned doctor because they are not 18 and can only be see in pediatrics which is ridiculous. Tried telling me triage for a 16 year old is not the same as an 18 yr old. Can I call bs on them and report them to insurance company and file a formal complaint???

  8. What if you have moved and moved to a different states have a new doctor you let the doctor kown your medical issues also you neef for radiation they ok we have make a referral and you sit there waiting for referral no yet so you get moved back go ley the doctors that you don’t have teatment do the reference neave do that give a doctor tje right they will see you

  9. A Doctor Refusal to Treat when 15 Minutes Late

    As life is I got sick travelling over the holidays and had cold/flu symptoms following a flight. Of course it is the Friday before the holiday week when I call my doctor to get an appointment…any chance? I was told not for over two weeks, so they suggested to go to Critical Care. I explained further that I had just changed insurance and would have to meet a $300 deductible in December, then start again in January for the new year, so a single visit would be $300 instead of $25 office visit. The booking receptionist suggested to check with the office manager to see if I could be worked in…a MIRACLE occured…they had a late afternoon 330pm cancellation I could come in that afternoon. I left early so I could be there early fearing holiday traffic…only 21 miles away from the office, but after the first 40 minutes in traffic I called to explain I’d be there, but about 10 minutes late. There was no answer so I left a voicemail.

    I arrived 15 minutes late and was promptly told by the receptionist that I could not be seen because they have a 10 minute late policy. I was clearly frustrated, but not violent I explained I’d need to speak to someone because of the deductible problem and its the weekend and I can’t wait to be seen I’m sick and need treatment. They explained no appointments until over a week later and that they have over 20 people on a cancellation list and I’d not make it through that list (hmm did that list grow from 0-22 since my morning call where they fit me in?) The office manager came out and I could tell it was an immediate digging the heels in on a decision that I’d not be seen. I asked if I could wait until the end of the day, they said no and I’d have to leave. I explained…well I’m sitting and I’ll wait. I’d ask that the physician or practice owner speak to me.

    After awhile in my chair, ,not speaking to anyone, not making a disturbance, but going online to find out if this treatment violated any ethics or failure to treat guidelines/laws the provider PA and the office manager and receptionist came out to speak with me…they were rigid on the same lines I’d not be seen. I explained my situation again and explained that the time taken to speak to me I could have been seen. I also was willing to wait until the end of day, but they refused to treat…mid explanation the PA (not my regular doctor) left in a huff back in the office. Over the next hour of waiting I was asked by the receptionist if I needed anything else. I told her I wanted to access the patient portal so I can message my doctor…she helped me gain access by giving me a code. I sent a message (to a general mailbox as it is the only option, meaning she’d read it prior to my doctor) and no reply over the next hour, despite him being on duty in the office. Later she asked again if there was anything else I needed. I explained I got in the portal and seems I have a bill. My insurance changed so they are likely charging the wrong insurance. I have a picture of my card, can I give you the numbers and codes, I asked? No….she can only work with the physical card or electronic file from the insurance company….funny, my other two doctors and pharmacist required only the phone number over the phone and member ID…hmm

    So my question is…am I in the wrong? Am I such a social pariah that I deserve this treatment? I clearly had a 3 year doctor patient relationship established. They indicated an intent to treat by accepting an appointment. I was late (5 min over their policy), but willing to wait until any time in the day and did so. The doctor refused treatment, did not offer guidance on a replacement or formally withdraw from our contractual relationship. I was in a situation needing prompt treatment and refused care, despite the ability to do so.

    I left as told at 5pm…remained in the public building outer lobby….texting a lawyer and inquiring with my insurance company as to my options. Both the receptionist and manager came out and asked me to leave the lobby explaining that the doors lock automatically and I’d need to leave. No anger, calm talk, but I explained I needed the WiFi to try to get treatment to another doctor.

    Whether they are wrong or not, how can one go back to a practice such as this? Do I have any recourse legally or with a medical agency that reviews complaints?

  10. Tiffany Maciejka

    I appreciate all of the information provided. I love in Florida. My mother and I go to a Pain Management facility and have got many years. Last month, in April, more so a few weeks ago we had an appt as we do every month. I brought tomy doctors attention and said lovingly, “not that we don’t love you bc we do, but is there a reason you keep requesting to see us?”
    Normally we’d see an RN, PA or someone other than the doctor. It would be normal ti see the doctor at least every 6 months. That’s why we thought it was strange we kept seeing him & later bringing it to his attention. He agreed thinking the same as us.
    I had been told several different answers for this. “Oh the doctor likes to see certain patients!” What I found out was that someone put it in our charts that we requested to see our doctor specifically. FALSIFYING INFORMATION in our medical records.
    As pur appt. progressed, we said to the doctor that we didn’t mind seeing someone else. We were trying to make it easier on him by not monopolizing his time away from other patients.
    My mom and I went to check out & we told the girls up in the front office about our conversation w/our doctor. Another girl came from the back. We had to get an appt. fixed bc the doctor was going to be on vacation. We are usually scheduled together in one appt. I told the woman checking us out that if she couldn’t schedule us together that it was ok. The girl from the back said that they had to go by what dad in our charts, that we were to see the doctor. She said she would call me about the appt. we needed to get fixed. That was it. We said our goodbyes werer polite and left.
    Fast forward to April 30th 2018 where my mom and I get a certified letter around 4pm. I was talking a nap & when I got up around 5pm, we opened them up. I was absolutely stunned.
    ( Let me add that we were due for our 1 month follow up on May 10th 2018)
    I NEVER could’ve imagined what I was reading which was…

    “Dear Toffany,
    This letter is to notify you of my intent to withdraw care as your Pain Management Physician. I am withdrawing myself as your Pain management physician due to scheduling conflicts with providers.
    It is necessary for you to obtain another Physician to continue your medical care. Please note that your discharge from this practice prevents you from requesting any treatment by any Physician at F****** Pain Institute.
    Should you have trouble finding another Physician, may I suggest you contact your insurance company/adjuster, your primary care Physician, the county medical society or the telephone below boom pages.
    Sincerely (docs name)”

    -word for word is what it says.
    I’ve’ tried contacting them explaining my difficulties in finding another physician. They were rude, vague and evasive. I was trying to understand what happened and ask for help. The girl on the phone said no. I can just go to the hospital, the doctor is no longer treating me and wouldn’t help me find other resources. I was kind, regardless of how she treated me.
    I have NEVER in my life been in this position. I don’t understand what happened. I believe someone conveyed something to the doctor that turned out not to be true, leading to this decision. It doesn’t make any sense. My mom and I were doing everything we could to make it easier for the doctor and we get terminated for conflict of scheduling with providers? Seriously, hands down or knees down, in a church holding a stack of bibles before GOD, I am being so honest.
    I’ve been trying to do research about abandonment and what not. Trying to learn about a physicians ethics and obligations even after terminating us. My head is spinning.
    My concern is, I’ve been on a pain medication for MANY years. It’s VERY potent and is one you just can’t stop taking bc my body had become physically dependent on it. I take it as prescribed but I was told that I’d go through a withdrawal after being on it so long, and just can’t go of it..
    Any suggestions on what to do? I know you don’t know me but I am absolutely begging for ANYONE’S help. I can’t apologize enough for the length of this but felt it was necessary to understand the whole story.
    Look, I totally understand a physician can terminate their relationship with a patient but for me, it doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. I am the kind of person where, if I’ve done something wrong, I’d like to know what it is so I don’t make the same mistake again. I am completely shocked that this happened. I feel my physician has abandoned my mom and I while we are receiving or were receiving critical medical care.
    Thank you so very much for your time and for reading this. If you have any suggestions, i’m all ears!!! Anything on FL laws or the best resources, tips, where to go, who to talk to, I am desperate. Even if it’s a point to the correct direction.
    Thank you!!!

    • OMG I just went through all this rigamarole in the last 2 months my life has been in an whirlwind . I also take a potent pain pill for my daily chronic pain .I have been taking it for 15 or more years. I ran short snd kept asking my dr. I needed a few more . I have not been abusing them as he and his nurses choose to say . Well one day i ran a day short (1 day!) he proceeded to get in my face and tell me he wasnt going to fill it anymore . well I freaked out. I ended up in a horendous rehab center. ,at my age of 63 i feel discriminated against . He is using me as a scapegoat I think. He had been tryin g little ways to take me off of these. since the laws changed. He must had been feeling scared, but yet i did nothing wrong. He ruined my life . I now walk around with a brand on my forehead Drug seeker. I had been accused almost every month for the last 1 year or more of doing bad things. can I do any thing about this .As a senior citizen and in chronic pain I am doing worse than ever.

    • Once you know your records have been falsified, which is a federal offence, they will drop you. Weather they did it legally remains to be seen. Good luck. I’m in a similar situation through workers comp. Almost 6 months now of no medical care. Fractured tailbone and complications from that?

    • What is happening is Doctors are removing themselves from anything that has to do with Opiods. They don’t want the blame for the Opiod epidemic that is killing and addicting patients. They took the kickbacks and had lines out their doors for prescribing the stuff in the first place. And know they are all high and mighty and acting like we the patients are all drug addicts. I suffer from severe pain and never got addicted but even if you are addicted you can withdraw and survive. They are trying to make you feel there is something wrong with you but clearly we the patients know they are trying to shuffle the blame. Stay strong you can withdraw. Your life will not be the same because you will not be able to do what you were managing with the pain pill. But atleast you will have your dignity.

  11. A surgeon crippled me for life in an HMO.

    The recovery room incident was hidden from me and my family. After surgery i was in complete delirium and attempted to jump out of my bed destroying the knee surgery. This incident was never reported or emergency action was not acted upon. My surgeon never placed the incident in my medical files. The only proof i have is that the HMO notified my family about me becoming extremely active and physically attempted jumping out of bed. This HMO has taken no responsibility of the incident. I need help and demand justice for my life.

    • Robert. There is a statute of limitation you must file before the law of your state statute. Most personal injuries are 2 to 3 years statute.

      The hospital this was reported too, they were supposed to have you fill out injury report. If this hasn’t exceeded state statute you should locate attorney immediately. Personal injury attorneys will take a case will take a case without payment.

    • My husband had a IV pic line to his heart. Its keeping him to live a better and longer life. Now he has a pacemaker but the left lead is off. Now i was told by the doctors they weren’t going to put the lead back on and this medicine was supposed to take its place. Now yesterday the doctor’s decide to stop giving him the medicine they took the pic line out and they aren’t going to put the left lead back on either. They gave him 3 months. How can they take medicine away thats keeping him to have a better life…is that unethical.

      • I was scheduled, for surgery on 1/14/2021. I contracted covid 19 and immediately informed the surgeons. The surgical coordinator said that it was ok and all my appointments were rescheduled for a month later along with changing the surgery date. I arrived at the surgeons office at the newly scheduled back brace fitting appointment and was told I would not be seen due to my covid status. I was highly annoyed. I work nights as a nurse I had to get out of bed in between shifts, drive 40 minutes to the office to be turned away. I refused to leave I demanded to be seen, the receptionist was super rude. They finally agreed to see me. I was fit for the brace, but informed by PT that I would probably not be allowed to have surgery because I had covid a month ago. At that point I had already completed the pre op interview and was cleared and considered covid recovered. The PT said it was up to the anesthesiologists and he would probably refuse to perform surgery. I complained to the surgeon by email and basically told me over the phone to go find a new surgeon. I am 6 days from surgery and now I am without a surgeon. I am scheduled to be out of work for 12 weeks, but that is probably easy enough to fix.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.