What Should be in a Physician Closing Practice Letter

Hi, I’m attorney Renee Osipov with Chelle Law here in Scottsdale, Arizona. We draft employment agreements, policies, and patient letters for physicians within their practice. If you’re watching this video, it’s likely that you’re a solo practitioner or a multi-physician practice, which had decided to close their practice. The best way to communicate this information to your patients would be via letter. The letter should be sent out, giving your patients significant time to find alternate healthcare. The letter itself may state the reason for the closure, whether that’s retirement, death, illness, et cetera. This is an option, you don’t have to include this in the letter. You’re also going to want to let them know the date that you will stop providing healthcare services to them, and also recommend that they find alternative healthcare. You can also state that if they’re having trouble finding alternative healthcare, they can look on their state’s medical board website, and that has a directory there where they can choose a physician.

You’ll also want to let them know how they can obtain their medical records from your office directly, or you can also include a medical records release form within the letter itself. And then lastly, it’s nice to include thanking them for their continued support with your practice and just wishing them the best in the future. It’s also an option, depending on the situation, to add contact information for the physicians at your office, that is now closing. But again, that’s optional. Every situation is unique, and if you would like further information on this topic, please visit our website at Chellelaw.com, C H E L L E. law.com. Our contact information is also on our website. If you would like to set up a consultation with us, we would be happy to speak with you and address any of your unique needs for your practice. Thank you.