§ 56-27-108 — Right to become participating physician - Method of diagnosis and treatment unrestricted - Private physician-patient relationship

(a) Every doctor of medicine licensed to practice in this state under title 63, chapter 6, and who is reputable and in good standing, has the right to become a participating physician in the medical service plan corporation operating in the county in which the doctor resides or practices, for general or special medical care, as the case may be, under the terms and conditions that are imposed on other participating physicians under similar circumstances, or as prescribed in this chapter and approved by the commissioner. A medical service plan corporation shall impose no restrictions on the doctors of medicine who treat its subscribers as to methods of diagnosis or treatment. The private physician-patient relationship shall be maintained, and a subscriber shall at all times have free choice of any doctor of medicine who is a participating physician in the corporation and who agrees to accept a particular beneficiary as a patient. (b) It is the purpose of this section to make it clear that the creation of the relationship of patient and physician depends on the mutual assent of both parties. Contracts issued by the corporation to the subscribers shall not constitute individually or jointly obligations of the participating physician or physicians servicing the plan.

Legislative History

Acts 1945, ch. 113, § 6; C. Supp. 1950, § 4186.23; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 56-2908.