a friend of mine went to a "supposed" llmd. she was very concerned because he wanted her to sign a contract saying she would not go anywhere else, have no other treatment, get no other opinions, or he would never ever see her again.
there was also a bunch of other stuff but she didn't go into detail.
have you ever heard of this? i told her to go somewhere else, this stinks... maybe i was wrong.
was I? this is just strange. i've never, ever had to sign any contract and i've been to tons and tons of doctors.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I would NEVER sign anything like that. Sounds like a very insecure "dr".
Posted by serendipity (Member # 8474) on :
quote: she was very concerned because he wanted her to sign a contract saying she would not go anywhere else, have no other treatment, get no other opinions, or he would never ever see her again.
The contract is odd, controlling and certainly a red flag. I have seen close to 100 doctors and never had to sign such a contract.
She will have no other treatment? Even in the case of emergency or a situation that is outside of his area of expertise?
Get no other opinions? Certainly controlling. Guess she can't log onto lymenet.
Or he would never see her again. Sounds good.
Perhaps this doctor has encountered patients who he feels "doctor shop" and discounting his treatment plan. Or perhaps he has had patients leaving his pratctice as he is not testing for or treating for coinfections or such.
Either way, limiting her options is not a good way to start a treatment.
Posted by iceskater (Member # 8655) on :
sounds peculiar to me. I would not engage on a treatment pathway that will limit my options of getting better or finding some improvement. None of the physicians that I have seen have had me sign anything of this nature.
Posted by summerlove (Member # 10428) on :
she should make him sign a contract that guarantees he can get her well! just kidding.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
did she sign this contract is the big question?
i'd tear it/all copies up if she did.
WRONG; don't ever do something like that.
fyi; i did have to sign an agreement from my 2nd /current llmd abot her OPTING OUT OF MEDICARE FORM saying she'd not bill them NOR COULD I BILL MEDICARE for her services!
i used this form to send to iowa's bcbs wellmark office w/my bills; 9 months later, not paid, and i got iowa insurance commissioner's office involved. Posted by daphne (Member # 2340) on :
just a thought, althought not getting any other opinions certainly sounds strange, i did see a pain dr. at one time who had all of his patients sign a contract, stating that they would not seek any treatment he was not made aware of, also that they would not receive any pain meds., sleeping meds., zanax type drugs etc. from ANY other dr. or he would stop seeing them, but i think this was his way of keeping out the drug seekers, not sure if this dr. is possibly writing your friend any of this type of meds. however if she is not comfortable with this, i certainly would not sign anything, atleast not without asking him some questions about the contract. good-luck.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
A couple of thoughts..
A study they were being put in for research purposes?
Or..
To get treatment for LD with the new stinking IDSA guidelines... that don't allow treatment.. docs may have to go to this sort of thing and do a "study" which could require a contract.
I am seeing this scenerio starting to unfold. It's a way to get folks treated legally when the guidelines say they can't be.
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
There are mutliple questions I would ask.
1. What do other patients think of this LLMD? Is he well respected in the Lyme community?
2. Does the form say anything about a medical study? If there is a medical study, the patient has to be informed. But if that is the case, as TC mentions, then the contract is to ensure the study is not thrown off by other treatment.
3. What is the exact language on the form? Does it prevent any other treatment for anything? Is it just related to Lyme? Understand the full extent of the contract. This sounds awfully broad, but you want to know for sure.
There are LLMD's who have been reported to medical boards by doctors who saw patietns for second opinions. I'm guessing that has something to do with this. But, the truth is, the patient has the right to a second opinion.
Posted by tickedntx (Member # 5660) on :
I would be happy to sign a contract which stated that I would not pursue other treatment without notifying the doctor. This protects me as well as the doctor from risking contraindicated treatment that could be dangerous.
I would NEVER sign a contract which prohibited me from being treated by other doctors, however.
Are you sure that you have all the facts straight in terms of the wording of this contract?
I would want to see a copy of the contract before passing final judgment on this doctor.
If this doctor is in Texas, could you email me at [email protected]. We maintain a list of doctor referrals and would want to know if this doctor is on our list.
Posted by kelmo (Member # 8797) on :
We voluntarily signed a release for research purposes. Our LLMD sends our lab slides to publications, and he's starting a research facility here.
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