Myasthenia Gravis News Forums Forums Healthcare and Treatments “Not allowed to switch providers”… has anyone else had this experience?

  • “Not allowed to switch providers”… has anyone else had this experience?

    Posted by lisa on September 6, 2022 at 10:26 pm

    I have requested to be switched to a different neuromuscular specialist (in the same clinic) after not being comfortable/confident in the current doctor they “assigned” me to originally.  I called the clinic and made the request, but they said “no, we cannot do that until your current provider releases you from her medical care”.  I thought this was weird, but they said they would leave a message for her to do this, then would call back to schedule with new provider.  I then received a written message through the hospital portal that said, “I and sorry to say, but this is not possible.  We cannot change your provider without a medical reason for this.”  So, at the advice of my hematologist at the same hospital, I contacted “Patient Relations”.  They told me the same thing – that it was hospital policy.  (not according to my hematologist there!) I pushed and she said she would reach out to the clinic.  I received a phone call today from Patient Relations saying they “spoke with (the doctor I requested) and other providers in the clinic and they cannot grant a provider change”.  What in the world??  I have never heard of this.  It feels like I’m being held hostage medically!  I have awesome private health insurance (PPO choice), so it is NOT an insurance issue. I pay all my MANY medical bills on time.  Why would they treat patients like this?  When I told the Patient Relations rep that I have the right to choose my own provider (who I pay!) and if they wouldn’t make the change, then I would have to go outside of their hospital system for care, she made a comment about it being hard to find MG doctors.  True.  But the way she said it, and the timing, felt a little threatening and bully-like.  Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

    spathorton replied 1 year, 6 months ago 8 Members · 11 Replies
  • 11 Replies
  • debbie-layman

    Member
    September 7, 2022 at 8:52 pm

    I have experienced this with a local doctors clinic for my PCP. My Dr moved and I was assigned the new Dr.  After one appt, I could tell not a good fit. I was not allowed to switch providers. I left the clinic and was lucky enough to find a phenomenal nurse practioner with her own practice.  I was diagnosed with MG in March of this year and understand the importance of the relationship with your neurologist.  I’m hoping you are able to find a good fit.

    Take care

    • lisa

      Member
      September 8, 2022 at 4:16 pm

      Debbie – Yes, it is so very important to be able to trust your neurologist.  Unfortunately, it looks as though leaving this clinic is now my only option.  The stress that this has caused is almost ironic, seeing as how I’m currently in a period of remission, yet stress seems to trigger so many health issues for me.  Ugh.  Also, congrats on finding an NP with her own practice!  They are some of the best kept secrets in medicine – every NP who has cared for me has been far better than most of my doctors.  My daughter is in pediatric nursing and working her way toward DNP.  It has been our experience that nursing gives a more human/compassionate/empathetic/realistic approach to medical care.  Best regards.

  • wayne-eisen

    Member
    September 7, 2022 at 11:15 pm

    Wow! Maybe they need to hear the words “class action suit”.

    One would hope it doesn’t have to be confrontational.

    I hope they change the minds before you need to change facilities.

    Best wishes, Wayne

     

     

     

    • lisa

      Member
      September 8, 2022 at 3:46 pm

      Wayne – it certainly doesn’t seem like a legal medical practice, does it?  I am still in shock.  What was expected to be a simple request has me now feeling even MORE uncomfortable with this doctor/clinic/hospital system.

  • robert-devine

    Member
    September 8, 2022 at 11:01 am

    Did this occur at the Cleveland clinic by chance

    • lisa

      Member
      September 8, 2022 at 3:41 pm

      Robert – No, it was Vanderbilt.  Has the same thing happened at Cleveland Clinic?  I’m wondering if it’s mainly these enormous medical systems doing this.  They really seem to be very controlling and forget that we are people, not numbers.  🙁

      • robert-devine

        Member
        September 10, 2022 at 11:02 am

        Yes exactly the same thing. They seem to be very resistant to changing doctors within their group. I feel it is more the policy of the clinic not as much with the individual doctors. I’m an RN and have always felt that it is our personal right to choose a physician as they are not all equal in their abilities to treat dispute having similar credentials. Keep fighting to connect with who you choose not who you are given.

  • dawn-r

    Member
    September 9, 2022 at 7:29 pm

    I had it happen with my hematologist.  I agree that it is absolute nonsense!!  I didn’t even need to see my hematologist as I had a prescription for IVig but they were insisting the hematologist needed to see me even though it had nothing to do with why he was seeing me – and that it would be 2 months!!  I NEEDED the treatment and my neurologist was from Mayo so going there for a week was hardly feasible.  Eventually, out of nowhere within a week, I got a call that my treatment was set up.   After treatment, they tried insisting I had to see their hematologist that, again, was not treating me for anything other than being anemic last year.  I had seen him all of 3 minutes and they were acting like it would be an act of God to do this.  If I am ever in need again, I will definitely being finding another provider!  The last thing you need when you are sick is to have a doctor you are not comfortable with and a practice that treats you like a traitor or hostage!  I wish you luck and hate that this is what a lot of medicine has become.

  • TheresaG

    Member
    September 9, 2022 at 8:06 pm

    Lisa-

    I’ve never experienced this. My input would also be they have no right to direct who your practitioner you see is.

    Does your PPO have a patient advocate you can contact to assist you in this?

    there does come a point where the stress caused by things like this make it easier to just go elsewhere if that is an option. No point in paying for that which you do not want.

    Though when I’m feeling really strong I want to fight the system to get what I need/want.

    I hope you are able to get resolution to get the best you can get.

  • karenk

    Member
    September 11, 2022 at 4:49 pm

    I have been told that I could not switch providers within a group b/c by accepting anyone in the group I was by default accepting all of them as the cover for one another; however, I believe that who you choose as your primary neurologist should be your decision–even if you are taking the chance of having the one you dislike “covering” at some point. Not everybody gets along–I’m pretty sure there is no  “medical necessity” clause requiring a provider to “release you from their care”. At the same time, unless they are the only players in town, I’d want to stay as far away from that practice as possible– you can also contact the board of medicine for your state and get their take

     

  • spathorton

    Member
    September 14, 2022 at 12:28 am

    The only silver lining with my MG that it didn’t give me any serious symptoms until I was just medicare eligible so I don’t know if that has made my provider situation less complicated. When hospitalized with my first crisis May 2022 the hospital neurologist referred me to the top provider in my area. Unfortunately he was booked through 2023 so I went with the provider in his group that was available hoping my case might be fascinating enough to eventually draw his attention. That hasn’t happened YET but the provider in the group who was admittedly not an MG expert passed me off to the number two expert. That’s where I am now. From what I have researched Christopher D. Lee is one of the top MG doctors in the Vanderbilt Heath System. I would see if he is available or if he is with a group see if there is a provider in that group that will see you.

Log in to reply.