A patient who has been receiving treatment for a chronic condition at a clinic notifies their healthcare provider that they will be moving to another state in a month's time. To ensure continuity of care and avoid a potential claim of patient care abandonment, what is the MOST appropriate action for the healthcare provider to take?
Ignore the patient's notification as they are responsible for their own care once they move to another state.
Suggest the patient find a specialist in their new area but do not provide any formal written notice as they are leaving voluntarily.
Provide the patient with a written notice of the need to obtain another provider and offer a list of alternative providers in their new location.
Document the patient's intent to move in their medical record and assume they will find a new provider on their own.