Vent about son's counselor....

[Mermaid02]

...2 weeks ago when we saw him at the end of the appointment, he went through his entire November calendar and had NOTHING until December 1st. I had the 9th and 10th off but he said he was booked solid. I said if anyone cancels let me know. Yesterday he calls me and says we missed an appointment on the 10th and he had nothing else for Jack scheduled in his book. I said we didn't have an appointment on the 10th that I knew of but that I was sorry we missed and we do have appointments starting the 1st. He said he was sorry too but he was going to have to bill me, but yes he did see now that we have December appointments.

I'm kind of po'd because he doesn't remember going through the whole calendar- and settling on the 1st and I specifically said, "So we will see you on December 1st" We have been going there for over 2 years and Jack has NEVER missed an appointment unless he is ill and then I have always called.

He doesn't use appointment cards, he uses sticky notes and he doesn't have a receptionist.

It's only $50 so I will pay it- Jack loves this counselor... but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Vent over, thanks for listening!

 

[Serena]

That stinks!

 

[dbogen]

Is it possible that he left a message about the opening on the 10th and someone else cleared the machine? If that isn't possible I think I would tell him that the appointment wasn't made and you aren't going to pay, and see what he says. If you have never missed one in 2 years it seems like a communication problem this time.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Mermaid02]

Is it possible that he left a message about the opening on the 10th and someone else cleared the machine? If that isn't possible I think I would tell him that the appointment wasn't made and you aren't going to pay, and see what he says. If you have never missed one in 2 years it seems like a communication problem this time.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I thought of that. Maybe he had a cancellation and he never called us, just put it in the book.

 

[Serena]

I really don't like this. $50 may not seem like much to you, but it is. Mistakes do happen, but if he's going to be charging that much then he needs to do a better job bookkeeping.
It all just depends on how your son is doing with him.

 

[Mermaid02]

$50 is a chunk of change around here... but my son does well with this guy. Believe me though- this will NOT happen again. My dh said that when we make appointments from now on- I should initial the appt book. There was one day last year that I took ds out of school, got to the office just to see a note on the door that said "all appts cancelled due to illness" I should have charged him.

 

[noodleknitter]

I'd take an index card and have him write down the appt. That way you have a hard copy, also.

 

[Serena]

$50 is a chunk of change around here... but my son does well with this guy. Believe me though- this will NOT happen again. My dh said that when we make appointments from now on- I should initial the appt book. There was one day last year that I took ds out of school, got to the office just to see a note on the door that said "all appts cancelled due to illness" I should have charged him.

Good idea

And you should have.

 

[disneygals]

This would irritate me to no end. I would definitely bring it up again. While he was sitting there waiting for you, why didn't he call then?

 

[kilee]

I'm assuming he doesn't have any participation w/ your insurance? I only ask because I know most insurance's have a limited # of visits and then you pay for the rest. If he does chances are he cannot bill you. Even if you used all your benefits this year-- he still has to follow the terms and conditions of his contract w/ the insurance company.
I know at our office we put on the appt cards we will bill for no-shows. But in all reality we don't and can't. It's more on there to try and get people to call and cancel.

 

[Disney Doll]

I like the idea of him writing it down on an index card for you. Bring the index card and the pen.

I would also tell him that he is not to speak to anyone other than you about appointments or changes.

I'd also tell him that charging me $50 for missing an appointment I never knew I had because of his shoddy bookkeeping practices frosted me, but I would do it this time in the interest of my son and the fact that he likes him.