Why aren't people seeking preventative care? HA!

[Ruby the Liberal]

So tonight, I went to an appointment with a periodontist that my Dentist referred me to for a tooth concern. I was 10 minutes early, and was informed that the Doc was still in surgery with 2 patients ahead of me, and running over 2 hours behind. Understandable, and I was happy to reschedule, in fact requested that rather than the wait (after leaving work early). A courtesy call would have been nice, but meh.

As a new patient, I was asked to fill out the customary forms while I was there - and one of them was the payment policy. Cancellations within 24 hours would be charged a $100 fee.

I'm sorry - but life gets in the way some times. I get cancellation/scheduling issues, but if something isn't an emergency - who in their right mind (that doesn't have a walk-out-when-I-need-to flexible schedule) is going to voluntarily schedule with these people because their Doc wants a second opinion?

I had them print out the $100 fee page so I could take it back to work in case they challenge my new appointment at zero-hour on the day I need to go - and God forbid the Doc is running "a few hours late" that day.

/rant

[MiniMe]

1. I would have asked the office if I got $100 for the doc basically cancelling on you with no notice

[Sadiedog]

2. Exactly! It makes me so grumpy when they seem to think that their time is more valuable than yours!

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. That did not escape me.

While I was filling out their new patient forms, I made a note in my google calendar on the appointment saved in my mobile. The fact that they didn't bother to call me to let me know of the delay (and since cancellation) was primary. I DEFY them to try to collect $100 from me if something comes up next week and I have to reschedule with little notice.

Never paid attention to that stuff before - same Docs/Dentists for a decade now - so I don't know if this is new or even isolated. It just spoke volumes to me on the whole "preventative care vs pricey emergency services" issue on a whole new level.

Threaten to charge people 4x what their appointment would normally cost if something comes up the day of the appointment? No wonder people are using the ER as their Primary Care.

Sorry, I am really pissed about this latest game.

[ibegurpard]

4. why?

my insurance wouldn't pay for a physical...a fucking PHYSICAL!!!
I had to fight with the coders (who don't even work in my doctor's office by the way) to get the appointment coding changed so they would cover it.
Thankfully I have a good doctor who got it taken care of.

[OldDem2012]

5. That is precisely one of my MAJOR personal pet peeves! Grrrrr! nt.

[Warpy]

6. I'd call the office on the new appointment date

just before time to leave work and find out whether there are emergencies that have pushed your appointment back an hour or two. Then tell the office that's when you'll be there and leave accordingly later.

I've done this for docs with really busy practices when I've had to and it's worked out OK. Emergencies happen. People get hit or shot or otherwise aggressed upon and need maxillofacial surgery on an emergent basis. Car crashes and falling off bicycles also happen. Since you know he takes emergency cases, just adapt to that fact.

And realize high demand probably means he's pretty good at what he does. The doc I had to call was.

[Ruby the Liberal]

7. Sorry to kick this - but those are really good pointers and I wanted to say thanks.