What factor does not determine whether a patient is considered established?

The factor that does not determine whether a patient is considered established is the patient’s age upon their first visit. Establishing whether a patient is categorized as established typically revolves around the patient's prior interactions with healthcare providers, particularly the specific physician or practice.

When a physician has previously seen a patient, that continuity of care directly influences whether the patient is labeled as established. Additionally, the time elapsed since the patient last visited the physician is crucial; a shorter time frame since their last appointment often contributes to the patient being recognized as established. The specialty of the physician can also be relevant since it pertains to the parameters of the practice, but the primary concern remains with the patient's history with that particular provider.

In contrast, a patient’s age does not impact this determination. Age may influence treatment decisions and healthcare needs but does not affect the established status relation to previous physician-patient interactions. Thus, the age of the patient is not a defining characteristic in assessing whether they are considered established in the context of healthcare interactions.