Doctor’s exit leaves patients in the lurch

A Coeur d’Alene physician who abruptly closed his office early this month has left patients struggling to gain copies of medical records. One former patient, a Hayden woman, is now accusing Dr. Tarek Haw of theft, according to documents from Coeur d’Alene Police.

The patient said she paid $677 to Haw for two office visits, but Haw had closed the office before she was able to receive services or results of tests. Police are investigating the matter, said Sgt. Christie Wood.

Several patients have also filed complaints with the Idaho State Board of Medicine, said the group’s executive director, Nancy Kerr. Kerr said rules prohibit her from confirming if the state board has launched an investigation.

Haw’s practice specialized in endocrinology and internal medicine. He closed his office at 1025 Ironwood Dr. on Oct. 1 after a dispute with the landlord, said Haw’s attorney, Richard Kuck. Haw refused to agree to a lease addendum calling for additional rent for building improvements, Kuck said.

“He did not want to be in that building under those terms,” Kuck said. “The thing to do in that situation is to terminate the lease. … He is in the process of reorganizing to open his practice.”

Haw is considering resuming practice in southern Idaho, where he previously worked, Kuck said.

It is not illegal to abruptly close a medical practice, said Kerr, with the State Board of Medicine. “Normally they make arrangements for patients to obtain records. But there’s nothing in the rules. It’s just been dictated by common sense and courtesy.”

Haw’s patients have been contacting Kuck to get their medical records. Kuck can be reached at (208) 667-3600.

The State Board of Medicine operates a toll-free number for patients wishing to file complaints or for those seeking additional information. That number is (800) 333-0073.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the board conducted a lengthy investigation into dozens of separate allegations of substandard care and mismanagement against Haw, according to public records on the board’s Web site. Many of the allegations were not proven, but the board later restricted Haw’s right to practice medicine.