When the profits of a practice is more important than caring for pts ?

I took my yearly drug screen 2 weeks ago. I noticed that unlike before, adderall and xanax were listed as rxs I take. I asked about the xanax tablets because I’ve taken 3 (Three tablets) in the past  year. 2 (two tablets) for tests, and 1, (one tablet) for surgery. Adderall  has been a regular RX of mine since Feb. 2005. Four days after the urine screen my Dr’s office calls says my screen is “inconsistent” for xanax. I say, “I’m in the car, ill be right there to take another test and get a copy of the previous urine screen results.” I’m shaken up, I’ve done nothing wrong, nothing whatsoever, I took nothing, used nothing. The Med assistant said they didn’t want another test, but informed me the N.P. needs to see me before she’ll prescribe for me again. Still driving, I say yes, I want an appt. asap. I arrive at the N.P. office only 5 minutes after I’d answered their call. Again I ask for a UDS, again, “No”. I filled out the form to obtain my UDS from the previous week, When I review the report I see it states that the definition of “inconsistent” in my case is that there was “NO TRACE” of xanax. I went to my appt with the N.P. I waited 1 1/2 hours in an exam room. She came in she asked why I was there and I repeated the message her assistant called me with. The N.P. began loudly stating conclusions about me and said she should’ve done a pill count on me and that she’ll no longer write rx for me. When it was over I walked calmly to the checkout desk and asked for my records. I received my med records yesterday, which ends with the statement that I “failed” my drug test. What do you recommend? I live in a small community that my family and myself have been well thought of for decades. I need a lawyer. My welfare, reputation and life have been damaged, The final page of my healthcare record in their office states I failed my drug screen

 

I have seen this before, a pt is discharged because of a “bad lab” and refusal to let the pt take a second test.

This situation is stranger than most, the pt had taken a total of 3 doses of Xanax over the last year at the time of procedures.

And the NP was looking for a positive urine test for Xanax days or weeks after the pt had taken a Xanax as a single dose on two separate occasion.

I have often expected that the reason(s) behind some of these irrational discharges is because the practice has taken on too many pts and/or someone has quit and they can’t find a replacement or chose not to replace them.

Are they going thru the billing records and seeing which insurance is paying less than others, a slow payer or one requiring a higher number of PA’s, or the pt is one of the lower generator of revenue/yr..  not all pts generate the same amount of revenue.  After all healthcare is nothing but a FOR PROFIT BUSINESS.

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