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10-Point Patient Termination Plan

Slideshow

  • 1. Develop a policy for provider-patient termination that is made available to patients at the initiation of service.

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    1. Develop a policy for provider-patient termination that is made available to patients at the initiation of service.

  • 9. Provide names and contact information for suggested potential alternate providers.

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    9. Provide names and contact information for suggested potential alternate providers.

  • 2. Keep accurate and detailed documentation.

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    2. Keep accurate and detailed documentation.

  • 5. Explain to the patient that he or she is being terminated from care, and provide an explicit reason. Do not delegate this task; speak directly with the patient.

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    5. Explain to the patient that he or she is being terminated from care, and provide an explicit reason. Do not delegate this task; speak directly with the patient.

  • 4. Discuss the situation with a colleague, risk-management professional, or legal advisor.

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    4. Discuss the situation with a colleague, risk-management professional, or legal advisor.

  • 6. Inform clinic staff of the termination.

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    6. Inform clinic staff of the termination.

  • 7. Send a certified letter with return receipt to the patient and the insurance carrier stating the termination, and that care will be discontinued in thirty days’ time, noting the specific date.

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    7. Send a certified letter with return receipt to the patient and the insurance carrier stating the termination, and that care will be discontinued in thirty days’ time, noting the specific date.

  • 8. Offer the patient interim care.

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    8. Offer the patient interim care.

  • EMR systems falling short of expectations

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    10. Offer to transfer records when given written permission.

  • 3. Consider sending a “pre-withdrawal letter” that gently expresses your concern about the patient

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    3. Consider sending a “pre-withdrawal letter” that gently expresses your concern about the patient

Have you ever wanted to fire a difficult patient? You know, those patients who fail to complete indicated tests, refuse necessary treatments, miss appointments, do not pay bills, are rude, unreasonably demanding, dissatisfied, dishonest, threatening, violent or litigious?

When the patient-provider relationship is unable to continue towards a therapeutic goal, termination may become an attractive option for both parties.There is no official guideline for terminating the NP/PA-patient relationship, but this 10-point plan can make the process easier.

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