Subutex Patient Abandonment

My mom and I have been seeing the same dr for many years. Seeing my mom for 4 and me for 2. Before that I saw a different Dr for 4 years. Health Connect recently bought them out and now they aren't letting them prescribe Subutex. They gave us 3 months of meds and said they would send us referrals for other Dr's in the mail. We never got the referrals. It's hard enough to find a good Dr, much less one as cheap as the one we were seeing ($50 every other month or when we had it), but they never sent anything. My mom called 2 times asking about it and they told her each time that they sent it. Finally after days of bugging them they gave her the name of one Dr - a Dr that isn't currently taking patients. Now we have been kicked to the curb with no help. Aside from not having medication, we also don't have access to counseling like we did before. We have called and called begging for them to help us in some way and they say they will have the Dr call us back and no one ever calls. I didn't think doctors could drop ongoing patients like this without cause and without another provider being in place. I've looked up a little about patient abandonment and have an attorney that is supposed to call me tomorrow. Has anyone had to deal with anything like this or does anyone know how any of this works? It just seems really wrong to let people suffer like this, years and years of being off pain pills is about to go down the drain.

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Where and in what state do you live? It is a little known fact that the ER can give you a 5 day supply. You just need to take your records. I have been in that position and it sucks. Call your insurance company and explain what happened and tell them to email you a list of local providers. Good luck. I live in Pa and have a great doctor who is very compassionate and takes Medicare and most insurances. Good luck to you and mom but please do what I have suggested. On subs since 2008.

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Where do u live? I have traveled a lot after my neck was fused and know of many good doctors. You can also check the suboxone website and they have a registry. My MD is great. Another NEW alternative is one I just switched to called BELBUCA. IT HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR PAIN ONLY AND MANY PAIN MANAGEMENT MDS NOW RX IT. It has the active ingredient on Subutex(Buprenorphine) and is delivered by a strip that STICKS TO THE INSIDE OF YOUR CHEEK...and is dosed in micrograms..very strong. Check out that stuff on Google. Post here and I will let u know. Good luck

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Hi there, I am so sorry to hear about your situation- Abandonment in this manner is illegal- i'm sure you don't have the money to fight it by hiring a lawyer, but each State has a State Medical Board, and they are our advocates, you have to either mail the letter or fax it, but they are our advocates, and any Dr, that gets reported to this agency, has to give a reply within 10 days, and i've done it before, it will get Drs. off their asses and help when they know they have been reported to the State Medical Board, because they are an entity that can take the Dr's license for abandonment, malpractice and other issues it sounds like you're dealing with. Just google your State Medical Board, they should have a website- God Speed!

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Amanda, I've heard of this before. I guess you can say I have a lot of experience with buprenorphine use. I started back in 2007. And had at least 6 doctors since then due to either not liking them or some drs will say right up front (I only give this amount of buprenorphine so take it or leave it). And since most have different amounts of buprenorphine to take in a day like myself 4 8mg a day...so if I go see someone new say he only prescribes one or two a day I'm out of there..as far as it goes you were very lucky to find I dr for buprenorphine that cheap, it seems doubtful to find another like that. I never even heard about a doc being $50 especially buprenorphine treatment doctor. It's a specialty doctor to prescribe. They did give you three months worth of scripts. And that old doc is just assuming one should be to find one in 3 months of time. You could always call him and say can we each get one more script. We are having more trouble than we thought finding a new doc..truth is he probably just doesn't care much about he probably rich already not even thinking of us folks just making it in the world. But if you can't find a doctor affordable enough think about a methadone clinic would that be more affordable. Ya I know that's actually going backwards ppl on subs do go that way, its methadone ppl that come to subs..so to answer your questions..yes oh yes any dr can drop you even in suboxone treatment. He actually went above and beyond, he gave you nothing, gave 3 months of scripts. Provide other drs...I've also just heard of 2 other people that just got dropped and fired from their dr with no RX in their system pocket just dropped like that. Good luck to you both.

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Andrew (# 1) --

Hi you said you just switched to Belbuca for pain..there's a dr. Jeffrey Fundin on Google he knows everything about your med and Butrans..one day I was looking around and I noticed these two so I wrote him in his blog told him what and how much buprenorphine I was on and also told him when I first started treatment back in 2007 .ok so I thought humm could it be better or cheaper I will check with him. He did write me back saying that suboxone or subutex are wayy, way stronger than those others with no comparisons period. So ya, obviously I am still on my buprenorphine 8mg. I do not and will not take suboxone..so I don't know how well it treats pain, but if it's so much weaker in mys why would one change..he said it's in micrograms. But still very much weaker so again why would one change? They are not cheaper either

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Amanda, do not try to switch to Belbuca or Butrans, even tho they both contain buprenorphine they are in micrograms and are wayy, way more weaker than suboxone or subutex. I googled Dr Jeffrey Fundin an expert doctor who deals with there medications. I was thinking about it until I wrote him my question. His answer back said stay what your on it way stronger of a medacine. So if your ever thinking about it put it to rest you will be very unhappy you did. Also if or when you find your new dr. Subutex is so much cheaper and better than suboxone good luck. Let me know how you make out thx

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Amanda, do not try to switch to Belbuca or Butrans, even tho they both contain buprenorphine they are in micrograms and are wayy, way more weaker than suboxone or subutex. I googled Dr Jeffrey Fundin an expert doctor who deals with there medications. I was thinking about it until I wrote him my question. His answer back said stay what your on it way stronger of a medacine. So if your ever thinking about it put it to rest you will be very unhappy you did. Also if or when you find your new dr. Subutex is so much cheaper and better than suboxone good luck. Let me know how you make out thx. But can a doctor abandon one as a patient?? Oh yes they can. Don't even bother to waste your money on an attorney. Or even think about calling a state representative about this. Why? You will never ever win. Then what happens in the long run .YOU WILL BE THE ONE WITH THE BAD NAME. If you think your having a hard time now trying to find a doctor just wait till you start filling a claim you will be marked with a RED FLAG when doctors see this do you think they will want your business NO THEY WILL NOT. dont do it it's your reputation that will loose

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Matt (# 2) --

Matt, it is not illegal for a doctor to drop a patient anywhere in the states..and the lady said yes she was dropped, but they provided her with 3 new script for her and her mother. They even gave her phone numbers well they claimed they did. However they helped her out some..supposedly they are having a hard time finding a different dr. Did you notice what they were paying a month? 50 bucks. That's unheard of for buprenorphine treatment. They will probably never again in their life find another like that. But by telling them to humm hire an attorney or even calling there state to complain..they will never ever win not in a million years. Just what will happen to them as soon as they do this and try to change their minds. They will not to be able once it starts. The only thing that will come of this is..they will be red flagged once that happens do you think they will ever find it easy to get another doctor or psychiatrist to prescribe to them again?probably not, what kind of dr want a new patient that has filed a complaint about a different doctor..no they will be fearful about it happening to them.. now you might have gotten away with it for now but it will creep up eventually to bite you..my son in law actually is an attorney before I wrote this I called him. So please be careful about advising one to file a complaint with a doctor..its bad. Now if you think you may never ever need a doctor go through with it. But most definitely need a doctor at a point in time. Now I thought of this before to. But thank god for my son..

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Re: Charlene (# 8)

Thank you Charlene for the information, and I don't want to argue with you, lol, especially if your son is an attorney, but in my state if you're seeing a Dr., and he drops your without giving you adequate time to find a new Primary Care Physician, or specialist your needing, it's and actual legal term called Abandonment, and is a Malpractice issue- you may be right about the Dr's not wanting to see someone who has complained to the State Medical Board before, but I also don't feel silence and suffering and not saying or letting anyone know is not the answer either! Thank you for the reply to my message-

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Yes doctors can drop you for no reason really. I had my first sub doctor I had been seeing for 3 years drop all his patients out of the blue. He just gave us a list of other doctors and the script for that month so actually you had way more of a nice send off.. also this way back in late 2007 and there were way fewer doctors prescribing suboxone or Subutex. I just called every doctor and clinic in the area until I found one. Fast forward 11 years and I've had 4 different sub doctors including the one I have now. I was on a very high dose for most of my treatment but this guy won't give me more that 20 mg a day. That would be fine if I wasn't so used to high doses. Of course I've tried to get used to this dose but I always end up feeling like I need more to feel normal. Most places I had called would prescribe Subutex unless u were a pregnant woman. So it's always tough finding a new doctor that is nice and fits your needs. Just move on and research doctors in your area and call call call. You really can't rely on your old doctor to find you a new doctor they don't care most of the time. You have to find one yourself and if all else fails maybe find a methadone clinic until you find someone but just start calling!

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Re: Sandra (# 1)

It may have changed since I went last, which was like 1-2 years ago, the ER can only prescribe subutex if they have a doctor with a license to prescribe (it’s an additional license they need) and I’ve never found a hospital who has a doctor who special license. I even had a doctor who just wanted me to go away, so he wrote me a script in the ER, and then at the pharmacy they couldn’t fill it bc he didn’t have the proper DEA number. This could totally vary by hospital/state... just my experience in Atlanta.

Also, I can’t believe you were only paying $50 every two months!! That’s insane! I’ve had two different doctors in the past 6 years, one was $200 every month, one was $300, plus medicine. Good luck!

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Re: Matt (# 9)

Hi Matt, thank you for your reply back..ya, I get it..just here in Florida anyway if a dr dropped you most will give 3 months worth of medicine. And it's not his responsibility to help you find a new doctor. Now this would be considered a good dr. Since ive been on subutex since 2007 I've had many doctors for one reason or another. I even had a dr. drop me just like that with no RX in my hand..that's when I make an appointment with an attorney. And from what he told me made me feel it wasn't worth the fight and money. I most definitely did not have one of those red flags by my name. Because as life goes on we will need a doctor at some point in life..especially doing buprenorphine treatment. I really was just saying about the girl and her mother who go dropped. They did get 3 script so the doctor did it part there. Now let's just say you happen to have an older doctor and you've been seeing for 8 months and he decided to retire from his practice..if he covers himself gives all his patients 3 months of medicine. That's it. It's not his job to help you find a brand new doctor at all..so I don't understand why you would say she should file a claim and give herself a red flag for life..it's nice chatting with you. Take care.

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3 MONTHS??? He gave you three months worth of scripts?? Sorry but that’s not patient abandonment by a long shot!!! The doctors here in South Carolina will drop you with NO SCRIPT. If you’re a lucky ONE. If you can’t find a new doctor in 90 days then you are not ever going to find a doctor so there’s nothing that they can do for you!

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Amanda, not sure where you live, but don't give up. Keep looking, call office after office and ask. Call the hospital, Google, just get creative. I say this because after years of spending so much and getting what I thought was the best of the best shrinks it just wasn't so. I would go in for 10 minutes and basically told them what I think I should have and leave. I have a low key shrink that works on a pay scale and sits with me to discuss my thoughts and options. I'm not on the methadone or suboxone, but he has a separate voice mail and has told me that it saves lives. I'm not sure what this stuff does, but if shrinks feel a need and believe in it maybe it's time to find an older dr. That has some old school ways. Just a thought. Dont give up. Peace & soul.

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Re: Charlene (# 12)

What a shame things are not as they used to be. In Pa, back in the 80s, no physician could drop you without sending you a letter telling you why, and providing you with another physician.

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Re: Charlene (# 12)

Yea, Charlene, I agree, that's actually pretty cool, to give at least a 3 months supply of medicine--

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Re: Bobby (# 10)

Thank you, thank you, well said..this is absolutely wonderful info..I almost thought that I wrote this because I responded to this question also..I've been taking subutex since 2007 basically at high doses 8mg x 4 day..I have had many drs too. And I'd go in and they would say i only give one 8mg per patient, take it or leave it..i say i can't accept this dose, thank you, goodbye..and I've had a dr drop me too with no scripts in hand. Sometimes a dr retires and usually gives 3 months of scripts. But never did I have one find me a new doctor. So I'm agreeing with you 100% nothing was done wrong here. From what I can read. I feel I'm very experienced on this topic and also believe I know more than some of these new drs. today...buprenorphine treatment was way different vs how much and what is prescribed nowadays.

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Hi again. I understand that you say your dr of a few years dropped you both out. You said it was without cause..but see they did have cause:: they were bought out and no longer able to prescribe buprenorphine.. and they followed the rules to provide you both with 3 months of scripts..nothing was done against the law here..and it's not the doctors responsibly to provide you both with doctors. However they finally gave you a name of a doctor, but has no openings for new patients. So now what you have to do is call around. And what you can do is when you call each dr..# ask over the phone if that doctor prescribes suboxone and or subutex. Then if your on any other medications tell the secretary what other most important meds your on that way you dont have to waste your time and money going to someone else that might not give you what you want I at the beginning of my treatment of 2007, I learned very quickly to tell them what your on and make sure its going to be the dr. To set up a new appointment with. Because it has happened to me I happen to take subutex 8mg not suboxone for many reasons..I'd see the doc and they might say oh I only give suboxone I'd say sorry to waste your time and my but it's not for me. Thank you so much goodbye. My dr visit cost me my co-pay is $45 for each dr visit
And I don't want to waste my money on something I'm not going to get..good luck to both of you..

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Hi, Amanda! I Know all too well how you are feeling right now as I have been thru the exact scenerio once upon a time & unfortunately, this happens much too often & it isn't illegal as inhumane it may feel like for the ones going thru a situation like this. I just wanna mention this to you to try & help you save some time & money. It's useless for you to hire an attorney simply because you wouldn't win a case against a physician who's business was bought out by another company who changed up all the rules & besides, the physician was kind enough to prescribe a 3 month supply which also bought you 3 months time to find another physician as that isn't any physician's responsibility. You can & will find a list of prescribing physician's & who do accept new patients & also participate in a Suboxone program if you search on Google. It may take you calling 100 different doctor's offices & also possibly driving several extra miles until you find a doctor of your choice & has the qualifications you are searching for. I can almost assure you if after three months have gone by & you are still without a doctor & complaining about your situation because the other doctor's office hasn't found you a new doctor or provided you with a list, then obviously you have put forth no effort of your own searching for a new doctor & noone.... Especially a physician is not going to just magically call you one day with a new Doctor's information. Like I said, that is your responsibility & Google is a great tool in finding just about anything you can think of, including a new doctor who is a certified & qualified physician who participates in a Suboxone program. I do sincerely apologize if I offended you because that wasn't my intention whatsoever. I just hope you realize I'm stating facts & hopefully you'll put aside your complaints & and put forth the effort in finding yourself another doctor. Good Luck & I'm very confident if you look, you will find!

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Kimberly 123 (# 16) --

Well said Kimberly,... I've also been in subutex treatment since 2007..I just wanted to let you know how professional you added to this girls situation. I've been there more than once. Doctors come and go..he gave both of them 3 months of scripts. The doctor did nothing wrong. And its certainly not up to the doctor to help them find a new doctor. It sounds like she is bumping out about this did you notice how much they paid to see the old doctor?only $50..that's unheard of expecilly for suboxone treatment..thx for your reply.

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