Can my physician terminate my care or discontinue seeing me?

Yes, a physician generally has the right to terminate the doctor-patient relationship. In most cases, the physician may terminate a doctor-patient relationship upon giving the patient adequate written notice, preferably through certified mail. Physicians should give the patient adequate notice and a reasonable amount of time to find another health care provider. "Adequate notice" and "adequate written notice" are not legal terms and will depend on the circumstances. Generally speaking, 30 days is considered "adequate notice."

If so, what, if any, guidelines are there for such circumstances? Except in limited circumstances involving transfers between hospital and emergency situations, a physician may refuse to accept a new patient.