I had an appointment with Dr. Urusova and arrived on time. While filling out the requisite forms, I put a line through the signature form on the Arbitration Agreement so the receptionist would know that my not signing it was intentional, as I do with anything that requests my signature stating that I am "choosing" to forego legal rights.
The receptionist loudly proclaimed that I had to sign the form.
I said, "I don't sign Arbitration Forms". She said, "It's required by insurance." (This is going on in front of the three other people who were crammed into the tiny waiting room).
Then I replied, "I know that isn't true because I don't sign those forms and my other doctors see me!", she retorted, "Well, ok but the doctor will not see you if you don't sign!"
Not about to be bullied, I took my ID and insurance card and left.
I certainly don't intend to ever sue a doctor. Yet when the doctor begins the relationship with a forced legal "prenup" and no lawyer is representing me,I have to consider what that means about the foundation of the relationship.
I prefer to go to a doctor who believes in the standard of care that they provide and doesn't feel the need to get a patient to sign such a document before having a consult.
Arbitration Agreements in medicine are flawed. By signing such a document, patients sever themselves from our equitable legal system. Why would one sign a document that automatically protects a doctor from being subject to legal precedents, juries, judges and reasonable settlements in the unfortunate event that they err?
This unbalanced "arbitration" system enables doctors to limit their liability via "neutral" arbiters who have a vested interest in outcomes that please insurance companies--so that they will regularly continue to be hired as "neutral" arbiters for insurance companies!
I won't place my trust in a doctor who will only treat patients who sign such forms.
Doctors who try to enforce the signing of arbitration forms claim that this "keeps insurance costs down". I'm happy to choose a doctor who believes in the standard of care that he/she provides without the need to legally bully their patients first!
To use a cliche, there are many other fish in the sea...
UPDATE: I am SO glad I walked out of this office! If I hadn't had the courage of my convictions, I wouldn't have found the amazing endocrinologist whom I am now going to: Dr. Thomas Ahn...He is dedicated to his patients, caring, thorough, intelligent and kind.
And guess what? Dr. Ahn doesn't even have an "Arbitration Form" at his office! He is a doctor with great integrity in every way and I'm SO happy I found him here on Yelp. You can see my review of him:) read more