General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDo your doctors require you to sign arbitration agreements?
I just took my son to see a new doctor and while filling out all the registration forms, I discovered an arbitration agreement. The form began with language somewhat to this effect: "because of our increasingly litigious society..."
I asked if I could refuse to sign and still have the doctor see my son. Because my son was having a certain type of appointment -- let's say Type A as opposed to Type B -- that was ok. But if the doctor was to see my son for the Type B appointment, I would have to sign away my rights to a jury trial if a legal dispute ever arose. I was taken aback and somewhat disturbed to be presented with such a form by a physician. I did not sign the form. I did end up liking the physician, though, so I'm not sure how I'll approach this in the future. That said, there are a large pool of physicians performing this same service in our area, so we do not have to see this particular physician again.
I have never before come across mandatory arbitration agreements in a medical setting. Has anybody else experienced this recently?
SamKnause
(13,108 posts)Yes, my ex doctor uses such a form.
I was told if I refused to sign I would not be allowed to see the doctor.
A new form must be signed yearly.
Neurotica
(609 posts)Arbitration agreements seem to run counter to having a good doctor-patient relationship.
SamKnause
(13,108 posts)No, there were several other issues that caused me to quit going to him.
PatSeg
(47,501 posts)That is pretty unsettling.
SamKnause
(13,108 posts)No, there were several other issues that caused me to stop seeing my doctor.
xtraxritical
(3,576 posts)for 40 years. He never had malpractice insurance and he never was sued. Those were the days...