Now that I know the wife is also the patient, I would send the wife a letter of termination in keeping with applicable patient termination requirements.  Abuse of a provider, verbal or physical by a patient is never acceptable.  It clearly disrupts the patient-provider relationship.  I hope a record of the wife's actions are documented fully because it could be possible she may wish to sue as a further means of intimidation and abuse.  

Some patients that call my office and become verbally abusive are those who dont want to pay their bill.  Their thinking is if they intimidate me, I will write off their bill.  My personal case was not unique.  The doctor I mentioned, not by name, did this with his other patients.  The entire practice experienced problems.  Now I am their patient again and have not had any experiences as before.  Not only is that doctor no longer working for the practice, the office manager I met and their receptionists are also gone.  I havent had any problems with this practice since my return. Under a new doctor, my health has improved.  the billing problems stopped.  But, me, I would send the wife a letter of termination.  If the husband wishes to terminate, that is his choice.   

Some sample termination letters can be found here (it is wise to send the letters by certified mail/return receipt.  the patient can always say they never received it and it is your word against theirs)

www.ama-assn.org › ... › Patient Physician Relationship Topics

http://www.hcms.org/Template.aspx?id=401

www.mtbc.com/.../...

Note, more can be found when googling sample patient provider termination letters.



  

I am not a lawyer.  My post is not legal advice. You are free to seek a lawyer at your own expense for legal answers. Your asking for my layperson guidance holds me harmless and indemnifies me and the MAB against any and all lawsuits. We are not an approving agency. My name is, and I approve this message!  Im sorry, Im not in at the moment, at the tone, please leave a message.... BEEP!  

Last Edited By: Steve Verno Dec 23 12 11:39 AM. Edited 1 times.