ENT doctors will not take me as a patient because I have a tracheotomy

Hi @georgethompson, I'm tagging fellow members like @genevievee @mindyt @thomason who also live with a tracheotomy. You might find this related discussion interesting:
- Living with a trach (tracheostomy), need advice.: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-a-trachea-need-advice/

I'm sorry to hear that you're having a hard time connecting with an ENT specialist. Have you had one in the past and now need to find a new ENT? Can you ask your PCP for a referral?

@georgethompson, are you saying that more than one ENT will not take you as a patient, and they specifically told you it was because you have a tracheotomy? That's like a store that sells car tires, refusing to sell you tires for your car! What is their reasoning?

I talked to an attorney. It seems that doctors CAN refuse to take patients.

Have not had an ENT specialist in the past. My PCP was no help.

@georgethompson

Doctors can legally refuse to see a patient if they deem the problem is outside their scope of practice, if a patient is being abusive or even if they can’t pay. I am not sure of your reason for needing an ENT but I may have missed one of your posts. However, ER doctors are legally required to see patients even if it is not an emergency. I wonder if that is a route you could take and perhaps get referred to an ENT who is experienced in treating Tracheotomy patients.

FL Mary

Thank you