[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Standard practice, a physician, sells their practice, part of that agreement is transfer of the patient’s and all medical files. Usually a clause staff and physician will not disclose sale to patients. Otherwise selling an office space without practice wouldn’t command any $$”. New or recently relocated physician can start seeing patients on the books immediately. I have actually witnessed same Sale, when Father retires, and Son buys the practice. Patients informed at visit “Dad retired I have taken over as your physician” Most patients will stay with that passed on practice, mainly due to loyalty and age.

Then said patients upon first visit can meet with new physician, and owner of practice. If patient is unhappy with new physician/owner, one can request medical records and look for a new physician.

If a physician chooses to retire and doesn’t or can’t sell practice, a letter is sent to patients informing of the closing of practice. With specific instructions on where to acquire medical records.

I sold my practice at the beginning of the year. There is a clause in the contract that states "I AM RESPONSIBLE" for informing my existing patients about the sale and the transfer of records... I have been personally telling my patients of the impending changes for the last 5-6 months. Although my contract officially ends 12/31/2024, the new owner has asked me to stay a bit longer to help with the transition. I agreed, with the stipulation that I will take off X-Mas thru New Years, all of February and part of March. I'll be back to work mid-March thru April, and then we will re-visit my permanent exit...

Now, when a child joins an existing practice (as I did almost 40 years ago, not the practice I sold), my father had no intention of retiring any time soon and I was simple introduced as "my son, who is joining the practice"... The patients had a choice as to whom they wanted to see.

I stayed with him for 5-6 years, during which time I opened a 2nd practice (very close to my home) and bought out the practice where I've spent the last 38.5 years.

After I moved again, I sole the 2nd practice (which I had started from scratch) and slowly eased put of my father's practice, and let him sell it to someone else (as I didn't have the time to properly service the practice and the sale added to HIS retirement)...

Legally, the medical files belong to THE PATIENT. The physician is simply a custodian of those files. He/she must retain those files for 5 years (or 5 years past a child's 18th birthday. In some States it's only until they are 21, or for 5 years, whichever is later..

[blueash]

The key word in the original post is sabbatical. Being on sabbatical means you are still part of the organization, simply not presently working. So he is not elsewhere, he is still there but, the law requires on any sale, merger, or transfer that the patient be notified before completing the sale, merger or transfer He may have sold it to the new doctor there, or he may have sold it to an organization that buys practices, and he would now be an employee of that practice as would the new doctor.

If he actually leaves the practice, retires etc. then the practice may notify the patients of a retirement or departure, but this is separate from the issue of whether the law requires notification of the change of ownership of the practice.

[VillageMama1989]

My last visit was Oct. 28. Asked him about rumors spreading he was retiring. He replied he would be around at least 7 more years. Called for my test results and he is gone??? With him over 12 years. He is outstanding. I wish him and the family well. If anyone hears he opened in a new location, PLEASE let me know. I will follow .

[Amjenkins1964]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Wonder why the Dr didnt tell this to his patients?

When you sell a business you include the clientele in the sale.

[Amjenkins1964]

Both I and my mother have experienced problems with getting out prescriptions refilled. I also asked for the current doctor, Thompson, to call me.
After calling them back twice and informing them I was speaking about them to the doc if he ever returned my call - they sent in all my refills - even stuff I no longer take.
Just recently they did not fill my mom’s heart medicine. We will go in person and if they have no legitimate answer we will get it filled by her cardiologist and find a new physician.