A longtime doctor in Austin unexpectedly retired leaving all his patients struggling to get medical records and prescription refills.
Dr. William Moran who has been seeing patients for over a decade suddenly retired with no notice beforehand. According to Bill Eastman, a patient of Moran who needed a refill this summer said he called the doctor’s office but, to no avail.
“I called and tried to make an appointment, but the phone was disconnected,” said Eastman.
But Dr. Moran is still in the list of having an active license on the Texas Medical Board’s website. His report to the board says that he has been practicing medicine for 31 years now. Patients also tried going to Moran’s office for appointments but saw a note posted on the door that says, “office is closed down due to Dr. Moran’s retirement. Sorry for any inconvenience.”
The note also included a phone number but according to patients, the line is disconnected. “Retiring without giving us any notice is very much unlike him,” Eastman said, adding: “I don’t know what happened.”
Patients aired their frustration on social media stating their struggle to get their medical records from Moran. One review says the doctor Moran “abandoned his patients overnight.”
Steve Oleson, a patient of Moran, told KXAN that he was also in need of an appointment for a new prescription. “We had no information at all,” he said, adding: “I was worried a little bit about him, whether he had some health issue or something.”
KXAN also tried to reach out to Dr. Moran at his Austin office on 35th Street where a near office told KXAN that they knew about the retirement of Dr. Moran but the move was sudden and happened within a week.
The office also told KXAN that patients who are looking for their medical records should contact the custodian of records at [email protected].
KXAN tried reaching out to the email provided but no response. The team tried to call a cell phone number listed for the doctor and a man answered although would not identify if he is Dr. Moran.
When asked about the retirement, the man said, “I’m not interested in talking to you about that, but thank you.”
According to a spokesperson for the Texas Medical Board, Moran did not notify them, and it is required to do so within 30 days of retirement or relocation.
The TMB also said that doctors are required to notify their patients. This includes posting signage in their office at least 30 days before their retirement date. Doctors are also required to notify patients where they can get their medical records. Board rules also says that patients seen in the past two years must receive a letter or email.
Eastman said that he already filed a complaint to the Texas Medical Board regarding Dr. Moran’s sudden retirement. “If he tries to get in practice again, hopefully he won’t be able to,” said Eastman. “He does deserve to retire, just not the way he did it.”
“If TMB receives a complaint and a violation verified following an investigation, TMB utilizes sanctions guidelines in disciplinary matters,” said a board spokesperson. “The potential sanction will depend on a number of factors including consideration of any aggravating or mitigating circumstances.”
The spokesperson added: “If a physician’s license is in an active status, they may still be subject to disciplinary action.”
According to the board, obtaining medical records shall not exceed a fee of $25 for 25 pages of paper records, or 500 pages for electronic records but other states and federal laws may apply in identifying charges for medical records.
