Patient Termination Letter

We all know the term 'termination letter' very well. This term is generally used when an employer terminates an employee from his/her job. Thus, the generic concept of this word is related to employment. However, a termination letter is used in many other situations, and one such letter is a patient termination letter. The medical services of the patient can be terminated for various reasons, and the same is notified by writing this letter and addressing it to the concerned patient.

There are different scenarios in which the patient can be terminated from the hospital, or the doctor could terminate his/her doctor-patient relationship. To simplify it further, we have stated a few scenarios below. These scenarios will help you understand, the situation that could lead to a patient's termination.

Scenario 1:

Failure to clear the hospital bills -

The very common reason of the termination of a patient is incapability of clearing the hospital bills and expenses. In such cases, the hospital authorities, after sending a number of notices to the patient, and reminding to clear the payment, takes this decision. When the repeated notices are not responded to, the patient is terminated.

Scenario 2:

When the patient not adheres to the doctor's diagnosis and instructions -

A doctor treats a patient after thorough diagnosis, and thus sets up a treatment plan for the patient. Sometimes some cases are such that a problem cannot be cured, unless some other cause leading to the patient's problem is cured. If a doctor says that to cure 'B', the patient has to first get 'A' cured, and the patient denies doing so, the doctor could terminate the doctor-patient relationship with the patient

Scenario 3:

When a patient continuously misses his/her appointments -

A doctor could terminate patient's treatment if the patient misses his/her appointment again and again. After continuous efforts and advises offered to the patient explaining the consequences of missing the appointments, the patient still fails to respond, the treatment could be terminated.

These are a few scenarios. There could be many such situations, wherein the patient termination letter would be used. However, one must remember that unlike the employment termination letter, this letter should be written in a subtle language. Here a patient is being terminated, and one need's to show some mercy towards the patient. Besides, terminating some patient for being unable to clear the bills, need to be communicated with humanity, and such an extreme step should be taken only after giving considerable time and chances to the patient. One should also try to accommodate his/her expenses in the free services fund of the hospital and if still not possible, one can terminate the patient.

Writing a patient termination letter:

As mentioned above, this letter has to be written in a subtle tone. The aim of the letter is to communicate to the patient, that his /her treatment stands terminated and the reason for the same is mentioned. The letter is a formal letter, and should thus follow the guidelines of a formal letter.

The details such as the case number of the patient, the treatment details, course of treatment completed, course due, etc., should be mentioned clearly. The letter should be precise, and put forth the point with ease and humanity.

A sample patient termination letter given below will help you understand the concept better, and thus write a similar letter when needed. If you are in medical services, it is important for you to understand the method of communicating with your patients.

12th December 2011
Curtis M. Baines
Administrator
2973 Saints Alley
City Hospital
FL 33564

To,
Natasha S. Powers
3549 Kembery Drive
LA Grange, IL 60525

Subject: Termination from hospital

Name: Natasha .S. Powers
Case no: 214 A
Ailment: Arthritis
Doctor: Dr. Kelly White
Treatment duration: 3 months
Treatment duration completed: 1.5 months
Cost of treatment: $50000 (till date)
Expenses due: $40000

Dear Mrs. Powers,

You have been undergoing treatment for arthritis in our hospital for the past 1.5 months. However, we are sorry to inform you that we will have to terminate your treatment here owing to your failure of clearing the bills.

As per the hospital norms, a patient is given a credit period of 15 days to clear his/her bills. In your case, we extended the same to 30 days. However, you still have failed to clear the bills. Moreover, you are not eligible for the free treatment facility provided in our hospital because you were not able to provide the needed documents.

Your outstanding has accrued too much, and now it would not be possible for us to continue your treatment further. To help you further, we give you the leeway of at least clearing 50% of your bill. Until then, you would have to leave the hospital.

Dr. Kelly White has decided to give you free consultation, and you can benefit from the same. We wish you good health and hope that you find a solution to this at the earliest.

Sincerely

Curtis M. Baines

Using this sample letter, you can inform the patient about the termination of his/her treatment, and thus be human enough in your approach. Also, you can look Sample Event Cancellation Letter and Sample Membership Cancellation Letter for more example of letters.