What to Do When Your Physician Dismisses You as a Patient episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 20, 2026 · 5 MIN

What to Do When Your Physician Dismisses You as a Patient

from Take Care · host Melody Mulaik

Finding out your doctor can no longer see you is a jarring experience that can leave you feeling dismissed and anxious about your health. In this episode of Take Care, host Melody Mulaik demystifies the process of "physician dismissal." You’ll learn why this happens, what legal protections you have against patient abandonment, and most importantly, the immediate steps you need to take to ensure your care isn't interrupted.In this episode, Melody discusses:[00:45] The Hard Truth: Can a doctor really "fire" a patient?[01:10] Understanding Patient Abandonment: Why they can’t just stop caring for you without notice.[02:00] The Notice Period: What to look for in your formal written communication.[03:00] The Action Plan: Securing medical records and ensuring you have access to prescriptions.[04:00] Finding Your New Provider: Resources, insurance tips, and referral advice.[04:45] Your Rights: When and how to contact your state medical board.Take Your Healthcare Advocacy FurtherNavigating the healthcare system doesn't have to be a solo journey. For deeper dives into the topics we discuss on the show, plus exclusive "insider" tips delivered straight to your feed, subscribe to Take Care Newsletter.Subscribe to the Take Care Newsletter Connect With Melody on LinkedInGot a Healthcare Question? Ask Melody Now.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jan 20, 2026

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Finding out your doctor can no longer see you is a jarring experience that can leave you feeling dismissed and anxious about your health. In this episode of Take Care, host Melody Mulaik demystifies the process of "physician dismissal." You’ll learn why this happens, what legal protections you have against patient abandonment, and most importantly, the immediate steps you need to take to ensure your care isn't interrupted. In this episode, Melody discusses: [00:45] The Hard Truth: Can a...

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What to Do When Your Physician Dismisses You as a Patient

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This episode was published on January 20, 2026.

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