Why would a Dr. lose privileges at a hospital?

hbeemom · October 2008

I just heard from a friend that my Dr. lost her privileges to practice at the hospital I'm supposed to deliver at. I called the office to find out for sure, but they're closed. So then I called the hospital and after being transferred 3 times the person I finally spoke to said I would have to call the Dr.'s office and find out whether or not she can still deliver there. I told her the Dr.'s office is closed for the day and she said that they can't discuss the situation. WTF??? The other hospital in town doesn't have a great reputation and only has a level 2 NICU. So why would a Dr. lose privileges at a hospital? I hate changes in plans (at least changes out of my control Tongue Tied ) and I'm freaking out a bit.

kittytaylor1 · October 2008

That doesn't sound very promising. I would be feeling the same way. I have no thoughts why someone wouldn't be able to practice at a specific hospital. Sorry you're going through this.

MrsScottBrady · October 2008

It can't be for good reasons... Hopefully you find out soon!

JARbaby · October 2008

USUALLY it is insurance. Some sign contracts with hospitals etc.. and they expire...or they change the ins they accept ot the hospital does...

hbeemom · October 2008

I've had some issues with the Dr.'s practice with poor communication and there seems to be a lot of turnover with her staff. I seriously looked into changing to a different practice a couple of months ago, but was even more scared by that process. Things got better, and now here we go again with Dr. drama.

scarlet86 · October 2008

maybe they didn't get all the paper work in. I have heard of that or that the doctor has legal issues the hospital doesn't want to get involved in.

merr818 · October 2008

It could be anything. The doctor could have been going against hospital policy, insurance reasons, or maybe your doc left there on her own cause she didn't like something that was happening at that hospital.

EmmaRain · October 2008

Just about anything could cause a doctor to lose privileges - problems with her contract, problems with mistreatment or malpractice, a lawsuit, problems with credentialing, etc. It could be anything, and because of privacy laws the office may not tell you what the issue is.

ArielK · October 2008

I would be very concerned.

At best, it probably means the hospital couldn't confirm the doctor's insurance or has new requirements which your doctors office can't meet.

At worst... well I wouldn't try to imagine that, but it's probably not good. Google your doctor to see if anythign has come up in the public record.

I'd call your insurance company before the close of business and explain what has happened, ask about getting an emergency change of Dr. who's approved at the hospital you want in order to go the best NICU available, and ask the insurance company to get the information about what has happened, since the hospital and dr's office won't give it to you.

booboofixer · October 2008

There are so many reasons: hospital has a policy dr doesn't abide with, Dr didn't deliver enough babies there (like a quota), Dr doesn't partiscipate with insurance.

Usually if the dr did some thing wrong they are put on suspension, not just kicked out, but I could be wrong....HTH

craziheazo · October 2008

Sometimes it is something just as simple as the doctor not signing all their charts. I'm a nurse at a local hospital and I have heard many doctors say, "If I don't hurry up and go sign my charts I'll lose priveledges".

I hope you find out soon!