Upset with Doctors office..what can I do?

[ziggystardust]

I just received a bill b/c I didn't keep an appt with my doctor. I was completely unaware that they charged for this. I knew I had an appt coming up but I had expected a reminder phone call which I didn't receive.

Is there any way to fight this? Is it worth fighting? I don't know what to do.

 

[Mercy]

I would call and try to fight it, they may or may not drop the charge. If this is the first time you missed an appointment, maybe they will let the charge go. But I do think it is worth a phone call.

 

[Planogirl]

You can always ask but if they have it in writing, I doubt that there's much you can do. Unfortunately, it seems like most doctors' offices are pretty rigid about this.

 

[Stacerita]

Many of the offices that I have come in contact with are strict about this. I would still call them and see about fighting it. Especially if this is the first time you skipped an appt. And the "reminder" phone calls are generally a courtesy and not something you should expect.

 

[Christine]

I have yet to go to a doctor's office that DOESN'T do this, so I'm not sure why you are surprised--maybe you just don't have the "experience" of going to a lot of doctors like I do! Anyway, it's worth a shot but a doubt they will wave it.

Most policies state that if you cancel an appointment without 24 hours notice they can charge you a fee for skipping out. Most will NOT charge you this fee if you call even just a few hours in advance and you have a legitimate emergency. But if you don't call and don't show, that's when you get the charge.

 

[luvdzne]

I agree with christine, I have not been to a doctors office that does not charge a fee for not canceling an appointment within 24 hours. I even had a doctor charge me for missing an appointment when dd was home from school throwing up. I called first thing in the morning to tell him I would not be in. I received a bill for $40 dollars for the missed appointment. I called him and explained that I missed the appointment because dd was sick and that I called him as soon as I knew I would miss the appointment. He said he was sorry, but that was his policy and I had to pay it. I guess I should have brought dd and let him throw up in his office.

 

[Christine]

I agree with christine, I have not been to a doctors office that does not charge a fee for not canceling an appointment within 24 hours. I even had a doctor charge me for missing an appointment when dd was home from school throwing up. I called first thing in the morning to tell him I would not be in. I received a bill for $40 dollars for the missed appointment. I called him and explained that I missed the appointment because dd was sick and that I called him as soon as I knew I would miss the appointment. He said he was sorry, but that was his policy and I had to pay it. I guess I should have brought dd and let him throw up in his office.

Wow, I just really think that's unreasonable. I think they put the policy in place for the abusers--the ones that repeatedly don't show or they don't even bother to call. I've had the experience of having to cancel once before because my child was sick and they were very understanding and let it go.

 

[luvdzne]

Wow, I just really think that's unreasonable. I think they put the policy in place for the abusers--the ones that repeatedly don't show or they don't even bother to call. I've had the experience of having to cancel once before because my child was sick and they were very understanding and let it go.

He was not so understanding, needless to say I found a new doctor after that. It was ashame because I really liked him.

 

[daisyduck123]

Me....I would let it go. I think every doctor around here is now charging for missed appointments. I don't blame them. 20 years ago when I used to tutor elementary school kids...even I charged for missed tutoring sessions...it was time I allocated for the session & money I could have made from another student.

You could call though. You might be pleasantly surprised & they'll cancel the fee.

 

[RadioFanatic]

as someone who charges people for appointments, I find it reasonable that they charged you. you missed the appointment which they could have filled with someone else but for the fact that they made the appointment for you. they lost money because you failed to keep an appointment. it is not their responsibility to remind you of it - you are an adult.

 

[ilovepcot]

I'm curious because I've never encountered this, but how much does a medical office charge for a missed appointment? Is it the cost of an office visit. Gee, I don't even know the cost of that.

 

[Christine]

I'm curious because I've never encountered this, but how much does a medical office charge for a missed appointment? Is it the cost of an office visit. Gee, I don't even know the cost of that.

Usually, it is just a flat fee and not the entire cost of visit. I think someone said on this thread that they had to pay $40.00 for a missed visit. A regular office visit with no tests done on you runs anywhere between $60 and $125.00 depending on where you live/who you're seeing.

 

[hentob]

I agree with christine, I have not been to a doctors office that does not charge a fee for not canceling an appointment within 24 hours. I even had a doctor charge me for missing an appointment when dd was home from school throwing up. I called first thing in the morning to tell him I would not be in. I received a bill for $40 dollars for the missed appointment. I called him and explained that I missed the appointment because dd was sick and that I called him as soon as I knew I would miss the appointment. He said he was sorry, but that was his policy and I had to pay it. I guess I should have brought dd and let him throw up in his office.

I would not pay it. I just wouldn't pay it. You called him and said you were not coming. That was fair. Believe me, I am sure he was able to "sqeeze" someone else in

At the very least, I would pay it $1 a month. That way, he can't do anything to you legally.

Also, I think I will start charging my doctor for the "missed appointment" when I am sitting in his office one hour after my scheduled time b/c he is chatting it up with a drug rep

 

[Puffy2]

I like the last post - if they can charge us for a missed appointment - I think we should be able to charge them for missing ours (or showing up an hour late).

I'll also mention that I'm IN healthcare (RN) so it's not like "I don't understand the issue" - I've known physicans who intentionally are late to appointments for lazy reasons (One of the worst, flirting with the married woman he's having an affair with while his office is packed with patients). Of course, many times there are emergencies or special circumstances - but if the patients are supposed to "understand" these, then so is the doc when the tables are turned.

I also agree with the dollar a month thing. Good idea, especially for the doc who charged the fee when it was canceled for the sick child. I also wouldn't go back to that jerk again.

Still, it is polite to cancel ALL appointments (medical or otherwise) when you know that you can not make them - these days in many cities it is difficult to get in to see a doctor, so it is polite to cancel the apt. so someone else can use it.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

as someone who charges people for appointments, I find it reasonable that they charged you. you missed the appointment which they could have filled with someone else but for the fact that they made the appointment for you. they lost money because you failed to keep an appointment. it is not their responsibility to remind you of it - you are an adult.

I agree 100%!

It's a known fact around here that you will be charged for a missed visit. I don't see a buttload of a doctors, just an GYN and the dentist. But if I know I have an appointment in April, but not sure of the day (forgot to write it in my calendar or something), I will call in MARCH and double check just to make sure. Not hard.

 

[Tiffann4k]

it is not their responsibility to remind you of it - you are an adult.

I agree as well, that is why I have a nifty little thing called a calendar and a pen, and when I have an appointment I write it on the calendar that I look at every day to see whats going on. They are not your parents & shouldnt have to call and remind you. Like another previous poster said, its a courtesy to call.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I would not even attempt to fight it. What I might do is to call the office and apologize and see if they would drop the charge. I would take full responsibility for forgetting and would not blame it on them for not making a reminder phone call. If most offices that you come in contact with do make the reminder call you might say that, but that is the very most that I would say and that is only in the context of your own inexperience and that you have used it as a learning experience. If they feel that you are not blaming them and have learned, they may drop it. They may not, in which case you should pay and let it go.

luvdzne's case is totally different and I would not go back to that dr. I had a case with my chiro and I did not return. They did not charge me, but they called me asking me why I didn't show for an appt. Problem is, I did cancel several days before, but whoever took the call didn't write it down and seemed scattered when I called. When I called to cancel she didn't even get my name and appt time at first and I insisted on giving her all the info. Then when they called to see why I hadn't show up they were rude about it and acted like I was making up calling. I didn't return to them.

 

[minkydog]

i have missed appointments and had the doctor charge me. The only time I asked for the charge to be reversed was when I missed my son's routine appointment because i was in the ED with an anaphylactic reaction! I spoke directily with the doctor, not the office staff(they have no power to change this usually) Once he reviewed the chart and realized that i had never even been late before(and that i had a reasonable excuse, plus documentation), he happily dropped the charge.

It's a big problem for doctors when patients don't show up. Not only does the doctor not get paid but patients who wanted to be seen had to be turned away because the appointment was booked. If I were the OP, I'd just pay the charge and chalk it up to a life lesson.

 

[wdwmom2]

It's a big problem for doctors when patients don't show up. Not only does the doctor not get paid but patients who wanted to be seen had to be turned away because the appointment was booked. If I were the OP, I'd just pay the charge and chalk it up to a life lesson.

This is very true. The pedi office that I work in doesn't charge you for "no shows". After 2 no shows you get a letter that if you no show again, you will be discharged from the practice.

 

[snowwite]

I agree with christine, I have not been to a doctors office that does not charge a fee for not canceling an appointment within 24 hours. I even had a doctor charge me for missing an appointment when dd was home from school throwing up. I called first thing in the morning to tell him I would not be in. I received a bill for $40 dollars for the missed appointment. I called him and explained that I missed the appointment because dd was sick and that I called him as soon as I knew I would miss the appointment. He said he was sorry, but that was his policy and I had to pay it. I guess I should have brought dd and let him throw up in his office.

I would definitely fight this one and I would be looking for a new physician.
We had a doctor that typically overbooked and waits were up to an hour for scheduled appointment. I finally had enough and decided if they can charge for missed appointments I would charge for my valuable wasted time too. So, I waited 65 mins then gave the receptionist a note indicating I had now missed an important meeting and what my fee would be. He called and apologized and I did not get charged for leaving. I was kind of dissappointed that he did not send a check though. Doctors need to remember that they are hired by patients to perform a service. They are not doing you a favor by seeing you. You are keeping them in business. Oh and my favorite, That title is MD not GOD !!!