Closing for COVID-19? Don’t worry about abandonment, but give notice

Article Overview

This article addresses a practical medical-legal question arising during the COVID-19 emergency: what happens when a practice relies heavily on telehealth or temporarily closes. It explains why abandonment concerns may be less likely in extraordinary circumstances, and it summarizes broad notice, documentation, records-access, and patient-transition considerations that may be relevant to physicians, practice managers, and compliance staff. The discussion is aimed at helping practices understand the general risk environment and the types of guidance that state boards, professional organizations, and malpractice counsel may emphasize.