What do you think?...

[NancyM]

<r><B><s></s>I have a question for everyone, and wonder if this happens where you live as well.<e></e></B><br/>
<br/>
<B><s></s>Most of our doctors offices have a policy that says if you do not call to cancel your appointment 24 hours before the appointment time, they will charge you a fee. The fees range from $30.00 to what I heard $50.00 and even higher. <e></e></B><br/>
<br/>
<B><s></s>My opinion is not to pay it and I haven’t based on these reasons.<e></e></B><br/>
<br/>
<B><s></s>#1. What if you do call to cancel and the person who takes your call ‘forgets’ to take your appointment out of the schedule. (happened to me twice) they will still send you a no show bill.<e></e></B><br/>
<br/>
<B><s></s>2. If your being charged because the doctor lost money by you not showing, than that should mean that the doctor shouldn’t be allowed to call another patient in you time slot. (anyone who worked in a drs office knows that the doctor DOES NOT sit for 15 or 20 minutes just waiting for you, they always call the next patient after a few minutes that you don’t show. ) So did the doctor loose money? <e></e></B><br/>
<br/>
<B><s></s>3. On almost all my doctor’s visits my doctor was late to see me. Is that the same thing? If my appointment is at 10 o’clock and the doc doesn’t see me until 11 or longer, isn’t our time as valuable as theirs? <e></e></B><br/>
<B><s></s>Unless the office staff explains why my doctor is very late, as emergencies happen, I personally don’t wait longer than an hour, but I know some people who do wait longer than that.. <e></e></B><br/>
<B><s></s>Why is it ok for a doctor to double//triple book an appointment where he will charge you money if you don’t show, even though that time slot isn’t only yours?? <e></e></B><br/>
<br/>
<B><s></s>4. Say you couldn’t for some good reason cancel your appointment until say 1 hours before your visit, Should you still be charged/ or would you still pay their fee since their policy says you must cancel 24 hours before. <e></e></B><br/>
<br/>
<B><s></s>5. And finally, is it ok to be punished for forgetting. All people forget, including our doctors. It’s a known fact. My mother in law at 95 was charged $35.00 for not showing, she simple forgot.? <e></e></B><br/>
<br/>
<B><s></s>Now I’m not talking about people who don’t show for appointments regularly I’ve seen this too and I think in that case the doctor has the right to stop seeing them. <e></e></B><br/>
<br/>
<B><s></s>Has anyone else experienced this?<e></e></B></r>

 

[akmom]

I think doctors are generally so booked as to not warrant the fee. I doubt they would pursue you for it, but you also run the risk of them dropping you as a patient if you ignore it.

In terms of wait times, I think you get what you pay for. If I really need an appointment soon, I go to the out-of-network provider that doesn't honor Medicare or Medicaid. They can typically get me in right away. But if you want your insurance or a third party to participate in the cost, you're subject to the same supply-and-demand rules as everyone else - and doctors are in high demand.

 

[bssage]

I have had that happen at specialist and been warned at the regular MD's

Because of my job I have worked out a deal and never make an appointment anymore. I have explained the logistical issues with my job and ask if I can simply call in the mornings and check for cancellations. This works great for me and I never have to miss a round trip at work for a 30 minute appointment.

 

[NancyM]

<r><QUOTE author="akmom;134051"><s>

</s>I think doctors are generally so booked as to not warrant the fee. I doubt they would pursue you for it, but you also run the risk of them dropping you as a patient if you ignore it. <br/>
<br/>
In terms of wait times, I think you get what you pay for. If I really need an appointment soon, I go to the out-of-network provider that doesn't honor Medicare or Medicaid. They can typically get me in right away. But if you want your insurance or a third party to participate in the cost, you're subject to the same supply-and-demand rules as everyone else - and doctors are in high demand.<e>

</e></QUOTE>

QUOTE=akmom;134051]I think doctors are generally so booked as to not warrant the fee. I doubt they would pursue you for it, but you also run the risk of them dropping you as a patient if you ignore it.<br/>
<br/>
Actually they DO pursue you for the money. They have even threatened to send it to collections. That’s why I asking what you thought about their policy.<br/>
<br/>
QUOTE Akmom: In terms of wait times, I think you get what you pay for. If I really need an appointment soon, I go to the out-of-network provider that doesn't honor Medicare or Medicaid. They can typically get me in right away. But if you want your insurance or a third party to participate in the cost, you're subject to the same supply-and-demand rules as everyone else - and doctors are in high demand.[/QUOTE]<br/>
<br/>
<B><s></s>Not everyone could afford to go out of network, office visits are ridiculously over priced. I am lucky enough to have excellent medical insurance favored by all hospitals and doctors. I don’t think Medicare or Medicaid have anything to do with this office policy. Most, if not all of my doctors do not participate in Medicaid I know b/c my sister participates with Medicaid and wanted to use my doctors that's how I found out. So that’s not a factor as far as I see. <e></e></B><br/>
<br/>
<B><s></s>Also I was wondering about ‘appointments’ that were already made, not if you need one on the spot. my doctors always take me right away if I’m ill. I don’t have to go anywhere else.<e></e></B><br/>
<br/>
<B><s></s>As far as supply and demand, we have doctors all over the place here, there are over 15 in my town alone, actually their almost a dime a dozen. lol and I’ll go to another simply because the office staff is rude, or unprofessional. Doctors themselves are basically the same so unless they are specialists and highly recommended, I shop around regularly. <e></e></B></r>

 

[NancyM]

I have had that happen at specialist and been warned at the regular MD's

Because of my job I have worked out a deal and never make an appointment anymore. I have explained the logistical issues with my job and ask if I can simply call in the mornings and check for cancellations. This works great for me and I never have to miss a round trip at work for a 30 minute appointment.

Good idea Bssage. lol

Sometimes we have to make appointments though and this is where the problem lies. Woman for instance usually have regular exams which take place annually/ monthly even. or if someone has blood pressure issues have to go to the dr regularly like my hubby, or heart issues have to go every 2mos or so, anything that has to be re-checked is subject to this policy and unfortunately are the same people who have regular busy lives like work and kids who end up forgetting about an appointment for themselves or a family member.


I am the one in the family who gets to make all the appointments for all of us. It's not easy. lol

 

[akmom]

They may threaten, but it would not be worth their while to take $30 to collections. It would also be hard to enforce, considering that services were not rendered and they don't have an agreement from you authorizing the charge. A lot of these policies exist for deterrent value, and might occasionally capitalize on those unwilling to question them. But in terms of "fairness," I would say no, it is not fair to hold a customer to a higher standard than the provider.

Bssage, that's a good idea. My husband is "on call" and a large portion of his work occurs outside the regular workday for this purpose. I only book him with providers that understand his work situation and are flexible about it.

 

[NancyM]

They may threaten, but it would not be worth their while to take $30 to collections. It would also be hard to enforce, considering that services were not rendered and they don't have an agreement from you authorizing the charge. A lot of these policies exist for deterrent value, and might occasionally capitalize on those unwilling to question them. But in terms of "fairness," I would say no, it is not fair to hold a customer to a higher standard than the provider.



akmom: Have you ever had this happen to you or someone in your family akmom? Or are you familiar with the policy, do your doctors post this notice in their offices? I was wondering about other states and countries how they feel about it, or if it happens there as well.

When you say "But in terms of "fairness," I would say no, it is not fair to hold a customer to a higher standard than the provider. "

By holding the customer to a "higher standard" do you mean, that they should NOT be charged the fee since doctors also forget. OR that they <I>should</I> be charged a fee because that's the office policy. Not sure what you mean.

I understand WHY they do it, and I know theyCAN NOT carry it through because it will always be the patients word (I DID call and cancel) against the doctors word that they did not. Generally the doctor will look like a horses ass if he took someone to court for 30 dollars.

However some people will pay it, and the doctor will take his money, which might cause them a hardship, and that doesn't set well with me. Like I said my 95 yr old understandably forgetful MIL was charged 35 dollars. Of course I intervened and we didn't pay it.

 

[cybele]

GPs I don't agree with it, fortunately my GP clinic dosent have cancellation fees (I do know that another ones near us does)

Specialists I do agree with it, simply because speciaists are generally pretty difficult to get into, and if you call prior to 24 hours before your appointment to cancel it is much easier to find someone to fill the spot than it is to call around and go "Hey, want to come in in two hours?"

 

[akmom]

I meant that clinics shouldn't penalize their patients for missing their appointment time unless they can guarantee that their doctors will never miss an appointment time.

There is a sign at one of our local clinics saying that a $25 fee will be charged for the second no-show in a one-year period. But it has never applied to me, and I have no idea whether they actually pursue it.

I do have experience fighting charges for medical services not rendered, but it's a bit more complex than the no-show fee and I ultimately won without anything going to court or collections. That's why I think that refusing to pay that fee would be fairly easy, especially for the reasons you mention.

 

[NancyM]

GPs I don't agree with it, fortunately my GP clinic dosent have cancellation fees (I do know that another ones near us does)

Specialists I do agree with it, simply because specialists are generally pretty difficult to get into, and if you call prior to 24 hours before your appointment to cancel it is much easier to find someone to fill the spot than it is to call around and go "Hey, want to come in in two hours?"

I understand that to a point, but again, Drs don't wait around for you to show up, they just take the next person in the lobby if you come in late sometimes they fit you in and sometimes they don't. So they don't loose any money. When I worked in the Drs office as a Medical Biller we were so happy if someone didn't show because it gave us a breather, and we just took the next person, since drs generally over book it really didn't make much of a difference as far as filling the spot.

Say you were in an automobile accident on the way to the specialist appointment, and had to call a few minutes before to cancel b/c you were heading to a hospital, do you still think it's fair to pay say 30 or 50 or even $100.00 dollars than? Remember they can charge you what ever amount of money they want, no one controls it.

Or say your 85 yr old grandmother confused one appointment with another so she missed one, she did call and apologized to the dr's office and they were very understanding, but she still got billed
$35.00 for no show, is that really fair?

 

[NancyM]

I meant that clinics shouldn't penalize their patients for missing their appointment time unless they can guarantee that their doctors will never miss an appointment time.

There is a sign at one of our local clinics saying that a $25 fee will be charged for the second no-show in a one-year period. But it has never applied to me, and I have no idea whether they actually pursue it.

I do have experience fighting charges for medical services not rendered, but it's a bit more complex than the no-show fee and I ultimately won without anything going to court or collections. That's why I think that refusing to pay that fee would be fairly easy, especially for the reasons you mention.

Actually that's a good point about doctors having to guarantee they will never miss an appointment time. See we agree on something after all. :yes: Tomorrow I see a new doctor and if they force me to sign that form that says I agree to this I'm going to try and add that I agree if the dr guarantees to never miss an appointment time. lol that should go over big. lol hey you gotta try.

Even being charged for not showing the second time in one year is a lot more reasonable than the stringent 24 hr notice anytime at all. (even though I still wouldn't pay it; lol)

 

[cybele]

I obviously cannot speak for everywhere, but these things arent set in stone, just as n example, a few years back I had a dentist appointment I had to cancel on the day because Lux fell off her horse and was hospitalised, and the dentist waived the cancellation fee, most people are reasonable.

 

[NancyM]

I had friends who also go through this with these no show fees and it's true that when you call the office they do drop the charge. They call it 'writing it off' but there was nothing done medically wise to bill it in the first place.

It makes me angry though for people who don't call the office especially the elderly because they think it's their fault and the doctor is always right I feel for them and have posted this same issue on my face book to make people aware that they do not have to pay it.

 

[cybele]

Here you do have to pay the fee, it gets sent to debt collectors if you dont, iys a condition of using the service.

On an ironic note, im sitting at work on my phone right now because my 8:30am consult was a no show. Its a bridal florist, so of course there is no cancelation fee, however I do have to pay $60 for putting my kids in before school care for nothing, and there was another woman who this time and date would have been ideal, but she is now leaving work early for an afternoon appointment instead.

 

[NancyM]

Yes of course they tell you to pay it or it goes to debt collection, they do that here too, but it wouldn't be cost efficient for a doctor to do that as he would loose many patients. Can you imagine continuing to see a doctor who sent you into collections over $30.00 I wouldn't see him again.

All he has to do is give the patient a warning that if they continue to not show he/she will have to discontinue providing services to them. No need to go through all this trouble.

Speaking from experience, Doctors generally do not want to look like the bad guys, so it's really best to confront a doctor, not the staff if you have any problems even money issues, I'm sure you will get a different answer (in your favor) if you deal directly with the doctor not the staff.

That stinks about your no show do you call them the night before to confirm the appointment, I find that worked well in the Drs office or in your business I might even call them in that same morning/or day. If a person has an 8:30 am appt they should be awake at 7:30 am.

Over her in the U.S. people also have to bring their kids in to school day care before school hours since their jobs start at different times than the schools. I never did that, but I had a friend who had to drop her little guy off at school by 6:30 am so she could get to work on time and she had to pay for that as well.

I don't know what the answer is about no shows, but there are certainly other solutions to consider before charging people a fee as this is differcult for some people to pay.

 

[cybele]

If you sign a document stating that you agree to the cancellation fee then you do have to pay it, it is legally binding contract. If you refuse to sign it, they have he right to refuse you an appointment.

On the topic of my no show, we text the day before, I called her 20mins into her appountment slot, which apparently woke her up and she said to me "oh yeah, ill come another time sweetheart, dont stress" then hung up on me. So I am all for charging people for business time wasted who have that kind of attitude. Fortunately it freed up my quotation time I had allocated her for a walk in, so I didnt completely lose out on my commission.

 

[Xero]

That's weird, I've been to several different doctors and there's never been a cancellation/no show fee at any of them. They all request that you please make sure to give them 24 hour notice, you know they make sure you know they prefer that and would appreciate it. However I've never been threatened with or charged a fee (there have been a handful of times I have cancelled on the day of an appointment, mostly due to my DH's unpredictable schedule). I have never even been reprimanded about it or anything haha. I try my best not to have to do it, just because I want to do the right thing and I can imagine that being frustrating if I were in the dr's shoes etc. But sometimes I have to. They are always understanding.

The worst I have gotten was a pediatrician I took ODS to when he was a baby who when I called to cancel on the day ONCE they threatened to drop us as patients if we did it I think three times. We ended up leaving them though, ugh they sucked I couldn't stand them.

I guess I kind of see why they do it though. I mean, I'd like to think that all cases of on the day calls or no shows are all innocent accidents or crappy random situations, but I'm sure that's not the case. Sadly, if they didn't threaten anything then they'd probably have to put up with a lot more people than they could handle taking advantage of their niceness. Threats like that make showing up to appointments more important to irresponsible people. I'm sure even at those offices if there was a sincere reason why it happened, that if you called them and explained, they'd probably wave the fee. Can't imagine all those doctors being that unreasonable.

 

[singledad]

Due to some long-standing health issues, I've had to see a specialist at least every 6 months for about the last 10 years, and more often at times. They are usually fully booked months ahead, and yes - they still have a penalty fee for no-shows. The problem is that many people have the attitude of oh, they're overbooked anyway, so it won't bother them, and they don't bother to cancel, even if they remember. Because their consultations can last anything from 30min to a full hour, instead of the 15min you usually get at a GP, it does affect them. And because they like sending you for blood-work <U>before</U> the consultaion (if applicable, of course) they can't just call people and let them come earlier - you're wasting time if they don't have your results yet.

Fortunately, they also have the courtesy to send you an SMS to remind you a week and again 24 hours before the time, and even to call you if the doctor is running late - because, as we all know, sometimes doctors have to drop everything and attend to an emergency. I can completely understand why they charge the penalty.

GPs are different, though. They get walk-ins. Fortunately, my GP only charges for no-shows. Even if you call 5 minutes before your appointment, they would accept it. In fact, I once forgot about an appointment, called them afterwards with an apology, and they waived the fee. But then, they know me. I've been their patient for years. That's the trick, I think - find a doctor you like and stick with him/her. Build a relationship. If they know you for someone who is always considerate and punctual, they are more likely to treat you with respect, and also to be lenient when you do make a mistake, like forgetting your appointment. Plus, when a doctor knows your medical history, it is easier for him to prescribe the best treatment for YOU...

I meant that clinics shouldn't penalize their patients for missing their appointment time unless they can guarantee that their doctors will never miss an appointment time.

Good idea, but remember that the doctor does show up - he's just late, often due to emergencies or patients walking in with a shopping-list of complaints they want the doctor to attend to within 15min. There's a difference.

There is a sign at one of our local clinics saying that a $25 fee will be charged for the second no-show in a one-year period.

Now that is a good idea. It will deter those who think that its unnecessary to let the doctor know they won't pitch, without penalizing those who have a good reason.

 

[Xero]

Singledad - Walk ins? That's so funny! I have never heard of a gp that took walk ins. Must depend on where you live and whatnot. Pretty much the only places that take walk ins around here are like, salons haha.

My doctor always calls the day before to remind us of our appointment as well. I wouldn't mind a text.

 

[NancyM]

I chuckled at that too (in a good way) lol Walk-ins maybe on Waltons Mountian but not here!! ! Would be nice though.
Sometimes you can get lucky and call first if they have an opening they usually accommodate you lol

It would also be nice if all doctors give a conformation call the day before but I have a few docs who don't. TEXT? And,WHAT? Call you if the doctor is running late. lol NEVER!

Wow just shows how different each state and country operates. lol