[tbw2]

How does the lack of admitting privileges by the doctor affect admission of a patient?

[blackdog]

It's a big deal. A really big deal.

"Admitting privilege is the right of a doctor, by virtue of membership as a hospital's medical staff, to admit patients to a particular hospital or medical center for providing specific diagnostic or therapeutic services to such patient in that hospital. Each hospital maintains a list of health care providers who have admitting privileges in that hospital. Admitting privileges granted to a non physician is limited to treatment of patient independently, and admission of such a patient to hospital requires a physician’s order. Admitting privileges of some physicians are limited to consultative services only.

Access to diagnostic testing will not happen. MRI's, etc...

[blackdog]

A fee for service physician will not have access to CT scans, ultrasounds of organ function, most radiology services beyond an Xray, dialysis, lab testing, surgery, and so on. Also nobody will insure for malpractice liability if the doctor has no admitting priveleges.

It's like hiring a lawyer who is not allowed to practice law before the court, only instead of a civil matter of well being, it's your life.