My Psychiatrist / Therapist is Retiring

My psychiatrist is retiring!

According to a 2015 AAMC report, the estimated percentage of total psychiatrists over age 55 was calculated to be 57% for 2015, equal to 26,500 total psychiatrists over age 55 and 19,995 under age 55. Therefore, it was calculated that 55% of the total psychiatrist workforce in 2015 was expected to retire within the next ten years (given an average age of retirement of 65 years old). Thus, the number of psychiatrists leaving the workforce exceeds the number entering by a multiple of two.

Given that approximately 55% of the workforce will retire soon, it is very likely that you may experience a situation in which your provider is retiring and you are in search of another provider.

How do I find a new psychiatrist?

If you had a close relationship with your psychiatrist or therapist, it will feel very overwhelming to find a psychiatrist or therapist who will get to know you in the same way. You may ask him or her for a recommendation. A recommendation might be helpful because hopefully they know an individual who has a similar style or approach that matches the retiring provider’s.

Other possible options would include

• Finding a telehealth provider such as those at TelepsychHealth

• Your insurance directory

• Psychology Today directory

• APA website http://finder.psychiatry.org/

Will I be able to send my records to my new provider?

Yes. Various medical boards around the country require that the retiring provider retain the medical records and continue to be responsive to records requests from patients or their representatives. Patients must be advised as to where their medical records will be stored and how to access them.

How long must medical records be kept?

The requirements are dependent on the state medical board. For example, Texas recommends 7 years, while California recommends at least 10 years. Federal mandates dictate a 6 year period from the last visit: “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 (HIPAA) administrative simplification rules require a covered entity, such as a physician billing Medicare, to retain required documentation for six years from the date of its creation or the date when it last was in effect, whichever is later.”

The provider must include all records, including provider notes, nurses’ notes, diagnostic testing, photos, and medication lists.

As a physician, what must I do to notify my patients?

You must notify patients by a letter at least 3 months prior to closing via first class mail. The letter should include: the final office closure date, and release of information form for the patients to transfer records. The letter should be placed in the medical record.

Approx 60 days prior to closing, referrals should be made for those patients who require follow up. Then make appropriate referrals to those providers. Providers must be able to continue to provide treatment for 30 days.

According to the medical board, “when a physician retires, terminates employment, or otherwise leaves a medical practice, he or she shall provide notice to patients of when the physician intends to terminate the practice, retire or relocate, and will no longer be available to patients, and offer patients the opportunity to obtain a copy of their medical records or have their records transferred.”

(2) Notification shall be accomplished by:

(A) either:

(i) posting such notice on the physician’s or practice website; or

(ii) publishing notice in the newspaper of greatest general circulation in each county in which the physician practices or practiced and in a local newspaper that serves the immediate practice area; and

(B) placing written notice in the physician’s office; and

(C) notifying patients seen in the last two years of the physician’s discontinuance of practice by either:

(i) sending a letter to each patient; or

(ii) sending an email to each patient, in a manner that is compliant with state and federal law.

(3) A copy of the posted notices shall be submitted to the Board within 30 days from the date of termination, sale, or relocation of the practice.

Which other key entities must I notify of retirement?

• State licensing board

• State medical societies

• Drug enforcement agency (DEA)

• Hospitals

• Colleagues and associates

• Insurance payers

• Professional associations and groups

As a psychiatrist, what can I do after retirement?

Consider staying engaged with your community and state medical association:

• Take up administrative activities or a consultant role with a practice or hospital.

• Volunteer for a state or local health department

• Volunteer at a medical school to mentor students or a college to mentor premed students

• Volunteer at a blood bank or vaccination clinic

• Reach out to nursing homes or senior residential communities to engage with the residents