Question:
Even if I filed Bankruptcy doesn't my surgeon still have to see me for post op care?
I paid half and filed the rest on my Bankruptcy. I feel bad about it but I didn't have a choice. Now my surgeon is making a stink about follow up care. — [Anonymous] (posted on October 16, 2001)
October 16, 2001
While I can sympathize with the financial situation, I will have to say
that I can see the surgeon's point. Maybe he feels that this was your plan
all along. Actually, I am surprised that he only had you pay half. Because
of people like you, he and other surgeons will require FULL payment up
front. The surgeon probably feels that he has provided enough care to cover
the amount that you have paid. I think that I would feel very uncomfortable
with him at any post op appointment knowing that I have not covered the
cost. No, I don't think that you can expect him to provide follow up. You
didn't keep YOUR end of the deal.
— [Anonymous]
October 16, 2001
Im sorry for your situation. I dont know what state you are in, but I
believe your doctor is responsible for certain areas of your post op care.
You can consult with your state dept of health office. You might also
consider offering to pay by the visit for office visits.Just a thought.
— Sue T.
October 16, 2001
I won't comment on whether or not your doctor has the moral, legal or
ethical right to refuse you post op care. I will however recommend to you
that you find a very good PCP to monitor your levels and answer any
questions that you may have. I was my primary doctor's first patient to
undergo the RNY. Since then, he has done extensive research on it and has
offered the idea to many of his MO patients. If my surgeon fell of the
face of the earth tomorrow, I'd be disappointed. At the same time, I hold
a lot of confidence in my PCP.
— Jeannet
October 16, 2001
I have nothing against people that file banckruptcy. It is something many
many people have to do. But as with most bancruptcy's , they take your
credit cards and lines of credit away since you can't pay, correct? Well
basically when you have surgery and don't pay for it all at once, your
surgeon is extending you a "line of credit", expecting payment
afterwards. When you file bankruptcy, a magic fairy doesn't pop out and
pay him the remainder you owed, basically he gets stiffed. If you owned a
business, and someone didn't pay you what they owed, would you still offer
services to them, I doubt it, I know I wouldn't. He has every right to
refuse you service. My advice, find a doc that can do your labs and keep
an eye on your basic health. Your surgeon probably finds your wanting
after care insulting after you didn't pay him.
— [Anonymous]
October 16, 2001
I don't the he has to provide you care at all. I don't even know if you
could challenge that legally. I wish you luck.
— Dawn R.
October 16, 2001
I would find myself another surgeon for follow up care. This surgeon
didn't get his money and doesn't want to follow up; his choice. But, to be
honest, would you want someone that isn't moral enough to see you because
of your financial problems not allowing him to buy that new benz this
month.? Find yourself another surgeon and tell them your situation. Get
your follow up from that surgeon.
— [Anonymous]
October 19, 2001
I work for an attorney, we specialize in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which is
what I assume you did. You have the right to list the doctor as a
creditor, and really, you MUST list him as a creditor if you owe him money.
You can still opt to pay him, even a few dollars a month in order for him
to agree to keep providing you with post surgical care, but he would be
under no obligation to do so, just as if you were working for someone who
stopped paying you and then expected you to continue to work for them
without pay! LOL! Anyway, it seems like you might be better off finding
someone who would treat you without prejudice! Good Luck!
— donnalawbabe
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