Have YOU ever seen this in YOUR doctor's office? $25.00 cancellation fee??!!!

I just went to the doctor and saw a new sign. As of February, 2007 anyone who doesn't cancel their doctors appointment within 24 hours of the appointment time will be charged $25.00!!!! I kid you not.

My first question is:

1. How do they plan on collecting that $25.00? I sure as hell would never go back to ANY doctor that has the chutzpah to charge a cancellation fee!

2. Can this even be LEGAL? I can understand hotels charging a late cancellation because they would have a hard time renting out a room at the last minute, but doctors NEVER have a shortage of patients. They could always fill that cancellation time with another patient...probably with the next call on the phone!

Have you ever heard of such a thing? Greedy SOBs.

Lets say you made an appointment for yourself and your child got sick so you had to cancel your appointment? OR you made an appointment and got BETTER and didn't NEED a doctor anymore???

There's something very, very wrong here!

I've seen that my entire life (I'm 38). It doesn't seem odd to me, but I can see how others might take offense.

I don't know of a doctor who doesn't have a similar policy.

I've never been to a doctor who doesn't charge a fee. And most will waive the fee if you have a good reason for cancelling the same day. It's only if you don't call and cancel that they ever actually bill me.

Sucks, but there it is.

the fucker took me in at 1:00. I was NOT happy! I am more than willing to wait patiently if they are loaded up with appointments, but there was no on else there! If I can be respectful enough to be ON TIME for my appointment, the least they can do is get me in the office on time if they aren't busy.

I once drove 5 hours, got up @ 4 for an appointment @ 10:30, and didn't see the doctor until 1PM. And I didn't even want the appointment; he said I was in danger of dying. So of course I went. It turned out, though, that he didn't even take any tests, and I only saw him for 5 minutes. What was he doing from 10:30-1? He took an early lunch.

:grr:

I mean I was happy I wasn't going to die. But even before going, I thought it was pretty obvious I didn't have the complication he thought I had. Waste of gas. Waste of money. Waste of time. But he got paid, and only needed to see me for 5 minutes.

they showed him into the examining room then he waited and waited and waited. Finally he got sick of it and went into the waiting room and discovered they had forgotten him and gone to lunch! :mad: I wish I could say he told them off but being a senior citizen from a "kinder gentler" era he didn't but he also NEVER went back to them.

on EDIT: I want to CLARIFY (after reading some of the other responses) that they FORGOT my father, the girl at the desk said so, saying the doctor had gone on to lunch. There was NO emergency, they FORGOT him!

You don't deserve sympathy.

My doctor always runs behind, but that's because if it takes longer to properly examine a patient, they do it. The clock is less important than the patient's health.

If my doctor insisted on keeping to the schedule, she could probably get home at least an hour early everyday.

Be careful in what you ask for, you might just get it.

while I was waiting for him AND I was the ONLY PERSON WAITING. He was NOT with another patient.

you put that in a later post silly. And don't say "read the fucking post" to me when you can see that the info you asked me to consider was not in the post I was responding to. The waiting room is not an indication of other patients who may be in exam rooms in the back, out of sight as far as you know.

And I prefaced what I said about you by saying if you were seen late because of other patients, I have no sympathy. That statement stands. But it doesn't apply in your case because you got delayed for another reason.

OR in the back exam rooms. NONE. ZILCH.

If my husband has a patient scheduled for 12:30, you can damn well believe HE will be there BEFORE the patient is, whether he eats lunch or not. There are many, many days he goes without lunch because he's running behind or has a heavy schedule. The patient comes FIRST. I know that's lost on most people posting in this thread.

You could do the Litany. Maybe someone could do a translation:

My physician saw me 30 minutes *later than scheduled
He had no patients *he was having a long lunch
My physician charges a fee to cancel *what a greedy bastard

The complaints are simply too much and too loud for the minor wrong that was done.

Plain and simple. I never no-show for appointments. My husband is a doctor and I KNOW what it's like for patients not to show up and not cancel. That's RUDE and disrespectful. But if a patient is considerate enough to call 23 HOURS before an appt. to cancel, it's OUTRAGEOUS that they are charged for that. Doctors make enough fucking money.

OR doing phone triage. This is often done during "lunch" or between patients. And, it is indeed triage. Sometimes the person they are calling is in extreme dire straits. You're right: the patient DOES come first, whether it's phone triage or taking ten minutes to eat something. I have low blood sugar and I know how I get when I don't eat right -- I sure as hell wouldn't want a medical professional who's examing me feeling that way.

My mom and sister have worked for several different doctors in several states (and two countries) -- they have never worked with a doctor would just cavalierly keep a patient waiting for 30 minutes. And, this includes GPs, Pediatricians, Sports Medicine docs, and Cardiologists.

Thus, seeing you late. Odds are, he or she (along with the nurses, etc.) woofed down their food. It's a good thing the doctor ate.

It sucks, but because of my mom and sister, I know that's the reality of it. And, it's why I always try to have my appointment before 930 am.

It's just the nature of the beast. I'm sure the original poster wouldn't like it if he was half-way through a treatment and the doctor stopped because it was spilling into his next appointment.

or hospital rounds? Or ER? or to pronounce a patient? Or a nursing home emergency? Or surgery? Or a procedure? Or, God forbid-to the bathroom?

People run late. So, the doctor is already behind. People have complications, so the doctor runs more behind. Something unexpected happens, more tests are needed, they get behind. A patient who is very ill calls and needs to talk to the doctor, a nurse, a PA. They get even more behind. Someone is horribly ill and needs to be squeezed in. Guess what?

I bet I know why you were alone in the waiting room and still didn't get to see the doc until 1:00: patients being inconsiderate or just having life get in the way made them all run late, so they ran out to a late, shortened lunch, to hoover down some food. So, there's maybe only one nurse there to help the doctor. And, NONE of them go home until the last patient is seen. Even if that person is late because they were at a show sale (seriously).

I don't work in an office, but as an RN in a hospital, I'm lucky if I get 5 minutes to wolf down my lunch. Same with all the docs. For every patient upset at waiting for their drink with ice, I have two more in pain and throwing up at the same time. It's called prioritization and it's the perhaps unfortunate reality of medicine, but a reality nonetheless.

I can't tell you how many times my mom and sister have told me they didn't get to eat lunch, just five minutes to stuff down some peanut putter crackers or something. Or, how many times they've come home late from work because of squeezing in a few extra patients who were very ill and needed to see the doctor ASAP.

supposedly to get a more accurate reading on bp and heart rate.

I'm not kidding. I've done it. I wrote a letter to the eye, ears, nose and throat specialist that made me wait an hour for a scheduled appointment. I also enclosed a bill for $1.00 per minute. I told him in the letter that he would charge me if I'd done the same to him. I was having surgery and he was a required second opinion appointment.

I didn't get a check for $1.00 per minute, but I do remember a positive outcome. I believe I received a letter of apology and a check for $25.00.

The other option? Show for the appointment, tell the receptionist you're leaving, exactly why, and dispute any charge at all with the insurance company.

IMHO, YMMV.
Julie

Our time is not as valuable as that of an MD's. I respectfully beg to differ.

Your point is exactly the one I made downthread (only you said it much better, with personal experience).

I was on time. However, a lady that had a 1:45 appointment signed in before me (she was early) and they took her first.
Her problems turned out to be pretty complicated because they ended up calling me back at 2:00.

Hubby rounds before office hours, during lunch, and after office hours in order to get to everyone. He might have been running late from that.

I complain when that happens. If nothing is done, or some apology isn't made, I may very well find myself a new doctor.

My GP is always running late. He was very apologetic when I complained. BUT, I've learned it's simply because once you're in with him, he takes all the time it needs. He LISTENS, and never rushes your questions. I've also learned that I can call before I leave, and the office staff is happy to tell me just how far behind he is. ("Oh, come an hour from now", they'll say). For the most part, problem solved.

A specialist, however, recently kept me waiting 1.5 hours, then spent 5 minutes with me, during which time, he asked the same question 3 times -- never listening to the answer. I will be getting rid of him.

It's a relationship, and it takes two to make it work properly.

of changing to another provider as there are no others within my area that will take the insurance. So, I wait. I know it's not the doc's fault, but it almost always requires patience because they schedule appts so closely together.

around getting pissed, either.

One of them is the one who suggested me calling. A great idea! About 1/2 before I'd leave, I check in -- if he's running an hour behind, I know I have an extra hour. I'd rather be getting something useful done than sitting in a waiting room.

take NEW patients. I've called around many times and I have insurance! Imagine what it would be like trying to find a GP when you have no insurance or are on Medicaid.:(

Duh, they are busy, they don't make the money of specialists...

Hello, why do you think they run late?

All I read from you is ME, ME, ME

that was canceled 23 HOURS earlier! They could spend the entire day calling people to move them up from a later appt. MY HUSBAND DOES IT ALL THE TIME! So take your fucking attitude and shove it.

My husband IS a doctor and would never even think about doing this to his patients. That's the difference between an ETHICAL doctor and not so ethical, greedy, money grubbing hacks. If that's YOU or one of your relatives, too fucking bad. It's the TRUTH. I'm married to an ETHICAL, non-GREEDY doctor. Doctors make more than enough money to live on...JUST ASK MICHAEL MOORE OR GO SEE SICKO.

Talk about ME, ME, ME! Your outrage is VERY telling.

I have sat in my doctor's office many times waiting to be called in for my scheduled appointment and I did so without complaint, which is more than you can say.

-I am not going to complain because I am blessed to be alive
-I am blessed to not have to be at the top of my doctor's queue (many patients very sick while I am healthy)
-I have a doctor that despite a busy schedule devotes the time needed for whatever issue I'm telling her about
-I am blessed with health care that I wish everybody could have
-I am blessed with sick leave

My attitude is gratitude.

Try it on for size. I don't hear an ounce of gratitude for any of the things you seem to take for granted.

You know NOTHING about me. You don't know if I complained or not, which I didn't because I was there for my appointment! Duh. You go right ahead an worship your greedy doctor. We'll see how far your gratitude goes when you get ripped off the first time. It's always different when it happens to someone else who doesn't actually HAVE an extra $25.00 laying around to hand it over to a GREEDY doctor. That's OKAY with you. Not everyone in this world is as fortunate as you are. Talk about taking things for granted. Since you have it so well, those less fortunate don't seem to matter to you. Those are the people I'm worried about. I have the money to pay the stinkin' $25.00 to the greedy doctor.

And about your loud, obnoxious complaints here about nothing.

No, I don't complain about getting charged for $25 and I've been ripped off for far more than that for various things that shouldn't be.

I was born without a leg and I don't even complain about that.

If they were charging you $25 and it was preventing you from feeding your children or buying medicine for your ill parents, then I would rather give you the money than hear the complaint.

You are making a fuss about something that in your case is a SLIGHT and a small one at worst.

It's not big a deal. To you it is a big deal, that doesn't mean that it IS a big deal.

Please stop making a big deal of the inconsequential amount of money and time lost in your illustrations.

It is small stuff.

Nobody died, starved, went homeless, was killed in combat, was slandered as a result of the issue you think is so bad. It is not SO BAD.

And if you want me to know something good about you, how about saying something that indicates that you are blessed and lucky to have what you have instead of the sense of entitlement that permeates your posts; an entitlement to never be wronged in even a slight amount. That would change my opinion of you.

I've been here since 2001. If you don't know be by now, I really don't give a shit, OKAY?

You make up for in heat.

:rofl:

Jeezusfuckingchrist...
:eyes:

:eyes:

you are painting with that big broad brush?

I understand the touchiness of this for those of you who DO do this or has a spouse who does. My conscience is clear and so is my husband's. He saw the sign and was just as put-off by it as I was.

Any doctor that does this IS greedy. What if that patient who canceled 23 HOURS prior to their appointment didn't have the money for the office visit? Not everyone in this world has $25.00 to waste and throw at a greedy doctor.

in time, that the doctor would forgive the usual fee.

You certainly don't know that he/she wouldn't, do you?

You're all worked up here, calling names and venting all sorts of nastiness. I have to think that's not healthy for you.

Why is calling doctors greedy, nastiness? They ARE greedy when they do this. Just ask Michael Moore. He'll explain it to you.

JFYI, I'm not all worked up. I'm getting ready to head out to a movie with my husband and son....I'm just TERRIFIC, but thanks for your concern!

She'll probably have a heart attack.

Ssshhhhhhh!

*that's* greed! $4 for a small bag of greasy popcorn... Yikes!

My doctor, if I actually call with an excuse, has always waived the cancellation fee. So, to be so irate over this issue seems like a waste of time and energy!

but if it is a serial canceller - the kind who never call in or call a few minutes before their appointment - then the fee is totally justified. Most people on a wait-list cannot drop whatever they are doing at a moments notice to get into the doctor's office - no matter what they say otherwise when they agree to be wait-listed. It's very rare that you can get a patient right in at the last minute.

If any of our consciences are clear, we are not examining them closely enough.

And I'll take a bet that any right-teaching priest would agree.

Because, EVERY doctor has to sometimes keep patients waiting, because life happens. Of everyone else posting on this thread, you and the nurses should have the most sympathy.

And, I have wasted more time in an ophthalmologist's office than in ANY other type of doctor's office. I've been going to them since I was two years old. And, in hundreds and hundreds of appointments, I have never been taken in on time, and have sat in the exam room waiting for the doctor from five minutes to ONE HOUR. It's why I always take a book. This is over four decades, in four states, and ranging from specialists to Lenscrafters. Actually, the latter has been the most professional.

And, do not even call me a "doctor worshiper." I have two nursers in my family. I've heard too many stories. Actually, it's surprising I even go to doctors any more.

I do think that's a heck of a lot different and probably easier to keep on schedule than an internist, general practitioner or specialist who can suddenly need to get pre approvals on hospital stays, emergency admits to the hospital, complicated prescription management, last minute urgent appointments and the list goes on.

That her husband doesn't have to charge to cancel and can also keep his schedule is probably more a reflection of the nature of his specialty than simple discipline and moral committment.

My two cents.

Mainly patients running late, which is bad enough.

My thought that's echoed here is that the anger on the OP's part just seems so out of proportion to the actual complaint.

At the county level, anyway. You know that relieved feeling you get when you get called back into a room from the waiting room?? Like the wait is almost over? Going to a room means nothing in a county clinic...I've seen people literally wait 3 hrs for the doc to finally get in the room. And don't even think about stepping across the hall to use the bathroom during that wait cuz if the doc sticks his head in the room and it's empty, he goes onto the next patient and your wait is extended for another hour cuz they've moved onto the next patient.
Because they are so used to the system, the patients take it in stride...bring a book, a walkman, their cell phones etc.. They never (for the most part) even come and ask how much longer. They take it alot better than most of us would, I'm sure.

Yeah, it takes two to make it work properly. But some things are simply out of the patient's control. For example, I was in the hospital, doped up on morphine, put on a bunch of drugs I wasn't told anything about. After I started getting side effects, I talked to my doctor about them. He denied them and blamed them on my disease. This happened a few more times. Then I began researching the drugs, and found not only was I correct that my side effects were from the drugs, not my disease, but one of the drugs was associated with a significant increase risk in getting cancer. I brought this up with my doctor and he simply lied right to my face.

I do believe you do much better as a patient when you're willing to do the sort of research you did. I've had a few nurses/doctors look at me in shock and ask if I had medical training when I asked a particular question (I do not). But I'm certainly interested enough in my own health to research the heck out of anything.

I absolutely agree though that it's hard when you're in a vulnerable position. Unfortunately, our lovely health insurance situation in this country has meant that you almost HAVE to have someone willing to be at your side and your advocate when you're in such a position. That's really, really sad.

The specialist I saw was like that. Had told me to start a particular medication. Next visit, shakes his head and tells me, "I don't like my patients taking that". DUH, idiot, you told me to! Said the same thing three times during the 5 minute visit -- obviously not listening to a word I said. Happy to prescribe all sorts of drugs; obviously no interest whatsoever in getting to the bottom of my problem.

I'm going to see my regular GP for the problem from now on. He'll work WITH me. (And I know I'm very, very lucky to have found him).

What a jackass. How else would you get a script for the drug?

When you deal with doctors frequently, you begin to realize that the idea that there are too many medical malpractice suits is a myth. There's just too much medical practice. Doctors kill over 100,000 people each year, often by something as simple as writing the wrong prescription.

It makes me cringe when I hear someone like Michael Moore say, as he did on Larry King, that he assumes most doctors are in it, not for money, but to help people. Yeah, we can't know their psychological state. But it's becoming increasingly difficult to find a good, competent, caring doctor. Considering the most common medical error is writing the wrong dose on a prescription and considering that these are the same people who made damn sure they filled in bubble "B" if they thought the answer "B," it's hard to imagine that they really care that much. There are exceptions, of course.

I even now cringe when I hear someone like Ronald Dworkin defend assisted suicide by invoking a noble vision of the medical field. I still support assisted-suicide theoretically. But in practice I now have to ask myself: Would I give my garbage man this power? If not, it's probably not something doctors should have either.

If I don't want to be seen late, I pick the first appointment of the day.

Also, if my dr. insisted on keeping the schedule perfectly, I wouldn't have been seen at the last minute when I was really sick and didn't have an appointment --they squeezed me in anyway to save me a trip to the ER.

There's some serious prima donna behavior going on here.

If you are waiting while your dr. is playing golf, I can see complaining.

If you are waiting because your dr. is seeing patients and if that dr. readily takes extra time with you if you need it, then you have to recognize that the schedule is not as important as someone's health.

Knowing the care he takes with me, and also that many of his patients are elderly, I'll wait. He's worth it.

And I've gotten to know the staff quite well over the years. They're more than happy to work with me.

I don't like over-scheduling, but frankly, to some extent that's what gets done when enough people don't show up as scheduled.

And a great many doctors are not getting filthy rich. The amount of money they now have to lay out in terms of staff (just to manage the 8 zillion different insurance companies and their different forms) and insurance means their "take" is often much smaller.

The schedule is what happens before reality sets in.

People don't get sick on schedule, people don't get hurt on schedule, those people get priority over people who schedule 6 months in advance.

The good news for Incognito is that if they are injured or severely ill, they will get priority over the people that scheduled in advance on that day.

I think it's a form of triage.

I was so very thankful the day after my husband had been badly burned (and very badly treated at the ER - the nurse spread bacitracin over his 2nd, almost 3rd degree burns and told him he'd be fine) and we just marched in to the Dr's as soon as it opened. And were taken right away, no questions. No appt, either, but definitely the neediest at that moment!

They're trained as doctors.

Though they'll lose out to other doctors if they overdo it.

But with things of this nature, you can't always predict exactly how much time things will take. It's not like doing someone's hair or nails or other simpler services.

that the doctor was so busy..."could you reschedule"....I was really pissed...I complained so loudly that the doctor saw me to keep me from alerting the rest of his patients to this ridiculous event...

Its been there for years in fact....

I did have to cancel a few hours before an appointment and asked about the fee and receptionist said not to worry about it.. it was more or less for people who do it all the time...

was considered a no-show. It was my own fault. However
If I call in and change time and date--no charge.

Even my husband charges his students for missed lessons if they don't show up without canceling.

Time is money. Time is money.

I respect my doctor's time, and I respect my money enough to pick up the phone and cancel when I know I should.

of sick people. A guitar teacher can't just fill that time with the next phone call. A doctor CAN. HELL, my husband calls people who have scheduled appointments at later dates to fill cancellations and then fill the appointment from the later date with someone else who calls for an appointment. There ARE ways to fill the schedule. There's no need to rape the patients any more than they're already being raped by the medical professionals.

There are also times when you just can't make an appointment. I ALWAYS cancel appointments I can't make, but sometimes circumstances change and you just don't know 24 hours prior to an appointment that you cannot make it.

I think this is BULLSHIT, personally.

in the place of a no show.

It's patently clear that you think this is unjust, and I do not.

I can see where it would not be possible to fill an unexpected opening in the schedule at the last minute. Let's say that a patient doesn't show up for a 10:00 appointment, and the doctor's staff doesn't even consider it a no-show until 10:30. So how in the heck is the staff supposed to just "fill" that suddenly available appointment when the appointed hour has passed? Your husband's policy is not comparable - he's dealing with cancelations In The Future.

I think it's a perfectly reasonable policy. Our therapist charges us for the entire hour - and it's not billable to the insurance.

And please stop using rape as an analogy just because it's your opinion that a Perfectly Reasonable Policy is stupid.

But a physician doesn't.

I rest my case.

...than to speak and remove all doubt."

:rofl: Greedy, greedy, greedy. The truth hurts, I know.

This is nothing.

The wrong you observed is infinitesmal in the scheme of things.

You are clearly blessed with a good life in that a $25 cancellation fee and/or a 30 minute delay in being seen results in so much anger.

just sitting around to throw at a greedy doctor! I have the $25.00. I'm NOT worried about me. It's the people who don't even have the money to see a doctor and have to cancel and are charged $25.00 for doing so. So, like I said...take your greedy ass attitude and shove it.

...rather than the cost of cancelling that causes the hardship.

When you say "greedy doctors" it just doesn't square with what I know about General Practice physicians who tend to work long hours and not make a lot of money. And a $25 cancellation fee that rarely applies is not changing the ledger for them --not in the slightest.

Because it sounds like you need some anger management courses. What a tempest in a teapot. Why don't you have your husband the doctor (who you've mentioned about 15 times so far) take care of you and quit whining about minor bullshit.

Jesus, why do I click into these threads anyway? :banghead:

It may be a minor bullshit issue to YOU, but many people don't have the extra $25.00 laying around to throw at the greedy doctor. If you have the $25.00 and don't mind being ripped off, so be it. Give your money away to people who don't actually NEED it. I don't care. My compassion is saved for those who don't know where their next penny is coming from.

The ONLY reason I mention my husband is a doctor is because he LIVES THIS ISSUE every day. If that bothers you, too fucking bad.

Or are you cyber-screaming and foaming at the mouth over a posted notice? Because if that's the case, you need to step away from the computer slowly and call a crisis intervention center.

Seriously.

I know full well that there are greedy doctors out there. But you're hollering about a policy that almost every doctor in the country has had for at least the last 30 years - as long as I've been going to them. It's not a real good example of their greed and certainly doesn't deserve the level of capital-letter shrieking you're expending over it.

Jesus, get a grip.

if they make it to their damn appt. or cancel the appointment in a timely fashion, then it's not an issue. :eyes:

:eyes:

Hubby was home early today because his afternoon schedule was light and stayed that way. It happens. They make calls, but people no-show, and then he has blocks of time without money coming in.

He doesn't complain, though, and the practice he works for doesn't charge for no-shows (though they should call everyone ahead of time, the problem's so bad). It gives him time to get caught up on paperwork and call insurance companies to fight for care.

you're being beaten up for not making an appointment.

It's frigging $20-30.

most doctors will waive the fee if you actually call to cancel. Maybe not all of them, but all of mine have, even when I've cancelled only two hours in advance.

All doctors have days when the schedule goes to hell in a handbasket, but if the doctor expects patients to cool their heels for 30 minutes or longer every time then the scheduling is faulty. It shows a complete disregard for the patient's time. Respect should go both ways. I respect the doctor's time and s/he should respect mine.

I recently had this issue come up and the office staff told me the moment I walked in the office that the doctor had dealt with several crises and was running about 1-1/2 to 2 hours behind schedule. I rescheduled rather than wait and I thanked them for being candid up front.

and has been doing it for a long time.

Welcome to 21st century Amurkin health care.

:shrug: Where ya been?

but a lot of people are not very thoughtful about appointments. A late cancellation can be as good as a missed appointment. The fee does not bother me unless there is a legitimate reason (for example, the condition gets worse and requires hospitalization).

My mother worked as a registered medical assistant for a urologist for more than 15 years. They would be booked solid a week in advance, with the inevitable emergencies taking up the planned gaps in the schedule and then some. A patient who missed an appointment usually means someone else had to get bumped to a latter appointment.

The idea is not to collect a fee, but to provide a disincentive for failing to show up. If there is a valid reason for your cancellation, most clinics will waive the fee or not bother collecting it (unless you have a history of last minute cancellation.)

If someone books a block of my time and then doesn't show up, they have cost me actual income if the cancellation comes late enough that I can't book a replacement appointment. If all my appointments for the day suddenly didn't show up that's a whole day's worth of OTHER people I could have serviced, but didn't have the opportunity to because of the late cancellations.

and WAIT for two hours because HE has overbooked, or is running late because he decided to take a longer lunch?

THAT happens quite a bit more often to patients, but you don't see doctors offering to pay patients for THEIR lost time.

And, I'd say no, because you will be seeing the doctor.

People on here should go and observe the daily operations of a doctor's office for a day or two.

have that and dentist too. I have canceled though because something came up at the last minute and there was never any charge for it. I think they might have people who constantly forget appts or just decide not to come in and don't call.

I've only done it twice in seven years. I think it's mainly for "problem" patients, who are notorious for doing that.

to cancel the appointment ahead of time, then why should they accomodate that with no penalty to you?

I'm sure if there was an emergency (you or your child) that prevented you from even reaching a phone, there would be some consideration.

But it means an extremely sick person for you or someone else caring for you not to be able to simply pick up the phone and cancel.

The other poor slobs sitting around in the waiting room would appreciate it, too.

I get charged the entire cost of the visit. And since insurance won't cover any portion of it, since the service wasn't actually provided, I have to pay the full amount - which is almost $200.

Jeez. What if *you* had a full schedule of appointments with clients and some of them decided at the last minute not to show up? That like saying someone's time isn't worth anything. I think your doctor is being generous by only charging $25 and not the full amount.

do such a thing. They make enough fucking money and are NEVER short of patients! HELL, I have tried getting into probably 10 different family practice doctors here and NONE OF THEM ARE TAKING NEW PATIENTS! There is NEVER a shrtage of sick people! YES, it's fucking GREEDY.

Unless it's a legitimate emergency.

I don't understand why you think a doctor is less worthy of respect than any other professional. If I skipped out on my singing lesson without a reasonable notice, my teacher expects to be paid, and I totally agree - she's got her time tied up in waiting. That's not greed, it's self respect.

THAT is a different story. If I call and cancel my appointment 23 HOURS before I'm suppose to be there, they charge me $25.00. That's bullshit because they can EASILY fill that appt. with the next phone call OR they could call someone who has an appt. for another day and move the appointment up. There are ways to fill canceled appt. without raping people.

drop of a hat in order to get in just because an appointment opened. They in turn may need a reasonable time to make a new opening work too.

Cancelling your apt with at least 24 hours is a courtesy to other people.

or are you complaining about the potential for it? My doctor does this as well, but didn't assess the fee when I cancelled the day before, it gives them the option to charge when a problem develops.

and you understand the difference between a GPs scheduling and an Opthamologist's right?

the people after them are going to be seen a little sooner and the doc might leave the office at 5:45 instead of 6:00! Come on people! When was the last time YOU got called into the office at the time your appointment was scheduled?

And unless EVERYONE in sequence shows up early, there's no way for that to happen.

Most providers do also squeeze in a few day-of appointments.

I don't think you know what you're talking about.

sat in doctor's offices for 2 freakin' hours. They most certainly can and DO take the next patient sooner if someone cancels.

possible.

Just manage your schedule - it's doable.

just fill a canceled appointment with the next person who calls on the phone, doctors CAN. I use to work in the medical field. I KNOW how it works. Doctors do NOT have a shortage of patients. It's pure greed.

the physician to see someone else?

I'm all for whatever helps physicians better manage their time, because it's more likely to mean my time is better used.

have to wait all the same, b/c the office is waiting for the no-show.

It's just not considerate not to call, no way around that.

call and cancel their appointment and they are STILL charged a cancellation fee. I think it's nothing but pure greed.

If you call at 9am to say you won't be there for your 4pm appointment, and I'm wanting to get in, by the time the office reaches me I may not be able to rearrange my day in a way that lets me take that opening.

And as I stated in another post, you can call people who you made an appt. for later in the week because you were booked and move them up. There are ways to fill that appt. ESPECIALLY if you have had 23 HOURS notice.

What do you think is the cutoff?

23 hours?

12 hours?

2 hours?

2 minutes?

Write it off as a loss and rip off the patient that does show up. There's a plentiful supply to line your pocket. Doctors always over book. That's why we wait for hours on end for them to get to us. I KNOW. I worked in the medical field for 25 years. I know how it works.

Just manage your schedule.

Stop whining about it here.

you are getting health care, you are not saying you cannot pay, you live in a well-off country and have enough (apparently) to buy your children music lessons and a spouse who is doing pretty well by most standards.

Count your freaking blessings and stop complaining.

By world standards, you are lucky to have a doctor to see, to have the money to see them and to have the freedom to complain about your too tight diamond shoes.

patient.

What's so hard about making a phone call?

if I call within 23 hours of an appt. then I'm STILL charged $25.00. That's pure bullshit. ANY doctor worth a grain of salt could fill that appointment with the very next phone call. I'm not stupid. I KNOW how medical offices work. I did it for 25 years! No-show appointments are a completely different animal.

client to bring their cat in at the last f---ing minute??? My clients are at work, for the most part, during the day. And the cat is at home.

I know - I'm a veterinarian so by definition I'm a lying, evil corporate shill, a totally fraudulent charlatan, and know nothing whatsoever about veterinary medicine. I don't deserve to have people SHOW UP for the appointments they scream for.

When somebody calls first thing in the morning and we fit them in with an AM appointment, and they don't bother to show up, there's a problem. And it's NOT with me.

Let me guess. You do this to your doctor and dentist with some regularity and expect them to take it sitting down, right? Because you're A DOCTOR'S WIFE and your stuff apparently doesn't stink.

The prima donna will always have the one-up on you because their job to serve...
ME ME ME

You can't compete against that, your time is divided, theirs is not.

Be proud of what you are doing, it's a worthy calling and a gift for the innocent creatures.

the daily schedules of all your patients who can't be bothered to do it themselves.

I stink. ;)

True story: During my first knit-in at the yarn shop in the town where Hubby did residency, we went around the table introducing ourselves. When they got to me, they asked me who I was and how long I'd lived there. When I explained that Hubby was in residency there, the other doctors' wives asked me my wife number. I didn't know what that meant, so they went around saying their wife numbers: "Hi, I'm Dr. So-and-so's wife number three." It was unsettling, and when they saw the look on my face, they laughed and said I had to be a wife number one.

There was another wife number one there, and she was really pissed. Her husband is the area's state senator now. The stories I could tell . . .

My dentist did it to stop the chickens from canceling at the last moment. There are people who will make doctor appointment after doctor appointment and just keep not showing.

I agree that they make plenty of money. More than plenty. Still, usually a person can call 24 hours ahead of time. ...and as I say below, if it really IS an emergency, they will almost always waive the fee. I think it's less greed than it is feeling disrespected.
Lee

you "forgot" you had to work, or rescheduling at the last minute because your forgot for the tenth time our detailed explanation of how to go about putting the cat in the carrier, or you broke a nail, or have class, or your mother-in-law sneezed, or whatever the lame f---ing excuse is THIS TIME is not going to cut it.

This is just plain rude and inconsiderate of the doctor AND the other patients. The world does not revolve around these twits, and I refuse to indulge them. We keep note of who does this. Everybody gets a free screw-up, but if it becomes a habit, guess what? You AREN'T ALLOWED TO MAKE AN "APPOINTMENT" here - you have to come and sit and wait in the waiting room until there is an open time slot for you, and if that means sitting for 4-5 hours, too bad.

I have only had to do this two or three times in 16 years. We have a word with the repeat offenders, and let them know that we will either charge the full office visit fee or deny appointment rights if it continues. Most people get it at that point, or go elsewhere to annoy hell out of someone else.

All the others aren't, and have you seen their books?

In fact, do you know for sure your husband doesn't do that? An eye doctor would have even fewer ready patients and has a very discrete specialty.

If he doesn't have problems paying his bills and employees without doing this, more power to him - I don't charge for missed appointments either - anyone who can afford to make a gift of such time is generous or doing it as a good will business practice - but no one's time should be presumed to be worthless.

;)

because you sound like a handful.

My husband's various doctors don't do it and MINE never did it until Feb., 2007. :(

even when i was going to the pediatrician decades ago they charged a cancellation fee.

my current doctor charges $30, MrsCoffee's doctor charges $30, and the kids' pediatrician charges $40.

said he has only done it 5 times in 25 years and it was for repeat offenders. He is family practice.
You do know that at lunch time they call in all the script refills and answer patient calls that have come in during the morning right?

My hubby's an internist. He never gets to eat lunch.

To no avail, it seems.

It's not like the doctors, nurses, techs, etc. are all out at the Olive Garden enjoying the endless pasta bowl.

There was a Seinfeld episode that lampooned this practice.

It originally aired about 10 years ago.

But that show aside from being funny, highlighted self-centeredness in general. And if you doubt the producers attitude towards the self centeredness, watch the final episode.

Anyway, in the doctor episode, George was wronged by an arrogant doctor who cancelled him to go skiing, but he was also wrong for wanting and trying to get even by cancelling on her at the next opportunity.

I loved Wendy Malick in the role of the doctor on that episode.

Of course, I also loved Wendy Malick when she played Martin Tupper's ex-wife, Judith, on "Dream On".

And she is FABULOUS in her role on "Just Shoot Me"!

She's the only reason I watched that show. Quite a talent.

:rofl:

Recently my mom went to an appointment that they didn't even have on record. I wish they would have paid HER the $25.00 for going over for nothing.

It's on the appointment card of every single doctor and dentist and shrink I have ever gone to. My veterinarian is the only doctor I know who doesn't do this.

Actually also, though this is their policy if you...usually...explain that something REALLY happened..."I was in a wreck"...or whatever, they will waive it.

Lee

The one time he tried it on me, I mentioned that I'd be letting my insurance know about this rule, and the charge suddenly disappeared.

When doctors reimburse patients for THEIR time wasted sitting in an office, because of the office overbooking patients, then I'll consider whether or not I'll pay this sort of thing.

In the meantime, let your insurance company know about this. And go give the doctor a rating at http://www.rateMD.com.

I usually see that fullcharge will be applied if the appt is cancelled in less than 24 hours.

I don't mind it either - no-shows hurt the ability of others to be seen.

Most people would be shocked at the incidence of last minute cancellations, reschedules, and out-and-out no-shows. This costs me lost income (just try filling that 10 AM slot up when the 10 AM appt calls at 9:59:59 to cancel) and causes major inconvenience to the people who want a slot, are told it's not available, and then it becomes available too late to give it to them. This can potentially result in medical harm or even death due to delays in treatment.

A $25 fee is NOTHING. It ought to be $100 for the first offense, $1000 for the second, and summary execution for the third.

:mad:

BTW, most people who do this NEVER OFFER ONE WORD OF APOLOGY. And no, I am not in the habit of making my clients wait, either. Only if there is an unforseen emergency or (grrr) walk-in patient does anybody ever have to wait more than a few minutes to see me.

...and the truth is it is totally disrespectful to just not show for an appointment or to call at the last moment and MOST doctors will waive it if it truly is an emergency...like being in a wreck or car wouldn't start at the last moment. Just because a lot of doctors make a lot of money doesn't mean we can just diss their time and diss them. The patients who do it out of fear are another matter.

I have a vet story for you Kestrel:

Many many years ago, I had a kitty die of feline leukemia. After that I was always paranoid. Now remember, this is my vet who has been my vet for almost 25 years. I got some new kittens, rescues and I needed to have them checked for feline leukemia. I did this not showing up thing out of fear. I would keep making appointments and not showing up. I did it like four times in a row. My vet knew it was just my awful fear. One morning I didn't show for an appointment. About an hour later I hear a knock at the door. It is my vet and two lab techs...<g> They took the blood right there in my living room. The kittens were all fel. leuk. NEGATIVE.

Just thought you would like a Great Vet Story.
Lee

When my middle cat was a kitten, he needed his last round of shots. Briefly: the little freak was the great escape artist. I tried for an hour to catch him. I had to cancel at the last minute -- they laughed and said they understood. I took him the next day. When I asked why I wasn't charged, they told me I was a long-time patient who had never done it before... and that the frustration in my voice couldn't have been faked!

get you banned most places.

I feel I owe her my very happiness, my love, my respect. You would like her a lot. She's also a Democrat and very cool.

Lee

most other medical offices I've been in. I rarely have to wait a long time to see a doctor, the staff is always friendly and helpful, and if I call with questions I always get a call back. I wish I could go to them with MY medical issues.

important. People who show a complete lack of respect for vets like me (who bend over backwards to serve our clients fairly) REALLY piss me off.

I love my vet and have the deepest respect for people who dedicate their lives to keeping furbabies happy and healthy!

and disrespectful. I'm talking about people who are courteous enough to call 23 HOURS before an appointment and still are charged a cancellation fee. That's just ridiculous and unethical, as far as I'm concerned. Many people don't have an extra $25.00 to throw at a doctor for a canceled appointment. Maybe they canceled their appointment because they saw their paycheck that week wouldn't cover the office visit?

I've forgotten an appointment before, got charged the $50, and didn't forget again. I don't see anything wrong with it.

2 days before the appointment. Got a bill for $25 bucks. Man, I called his office and ranted like a crazy person til he dropped the charge. Don't get me started on this guy....he's more depressed than I am.

Just read AMNews for a couple of weeks. Depression's throughout the entire profession, and many doctors are leaving entirely. *sigh* Suicide and divorce rates are high, too.

Talk about depressed doctors. Nurses were even more depressed.

Well, all the big academic places. I'm so glad Hubby got out of that system and instead is in a small town in a good practice.

I used to get shitfaced with some drs.

The head of the practice Hubby used to work at apparently gets seriously drunk on his day off every week. Hubby heard about it from the golf course owner (patient of his and goes to our church) who cut him off at a case of beer for every 18 holes just for him and his buddy. Both would then drive home. Scary.

But then, so did I. Rum martini's at the Harvard Garden's across the street from the hospital.

The worst party I've ever been to was the formal ball at Hubby's med school. I'd seen people drunk before but not that drunk. A girl in the bathroom couldn't figure out how to open her stall door and started crawling out from under it in her fancy dress. Yeah, that's when we left. You'd think medical types would know better, but they don't.

It doesn't bother me, they are a business. They have a right to expect you to show up.

The last time I had to cancel an appointment was when my mom died. And the dentist was very nice about it and didn't charge the cancellation fee. If they had, I probably wouldn't have gone back.

i had to fill out a long form and sign several statements, including the cancellation fee authorization, this morning before my appointment. since my doctor does not even carry malpractice insurance, i find this kinda picky. i wonder if they will apply it selectively and only charge the abusers. i should take a form in next time i go and have them sign that they will pay me $25 every time they make me wait. i KNOW i would make more money than they would! i get the first appointment of the day and i still don't get in to see them until at least 15 minutes after my scheduled time!

ellen fl

waiting a YEAR to get an appointment. I'd be rich too.

However, none of my doctors or dentists have charged me for a short-notice cancellation - as long as I CALL and don't just blow it off.

I got charged for not notifying them when I missed an appointment.

It's been like that for years and years here.

:shrug:

This is about calling 23 HOURS before an STILL be charged a cancellation fee. I would NEVER not call a doctor and not cancel. My husband is a doctor. He deals with this ALL the time, but has NEVER charged a cancellation fee.

This practice is new here and I think it SUCKS.

Should he have to pay a price for holding up his tour?

Or maybe, a better analogy?

You book a flight and reserve a seat someone else could've used.

You didn't cancel and now the airline has an empty seat.

Should they charge you for losing that seat money? :shrug:

I know. I worked in the medical field for 25 years and my husband is a doctor. HE never charges cancellation fees. We'd be RICH if he did! He's ethical though. His patients come FIRST and he would NEVER rip them off like this. He was with me today and was disgusted when he saw the sign....so, it's not just me who found it distasteful.

Last time I made an appointment with a dermatologist, the scheduler asked me if I'd prefer 1:25 or 1:30! That's the most common cause for overly long waits in waiting rooms.

always have. canceling is one thing, but a lot of people just don't bother to show up over and over again, so i guess they're just trying to get them to pay attention to their appointments.

It's not just the doctor's time, it's the blank appointment slot that could have been filled by a patient who really needed to see the doctor, but who called before we heard of the cancellation, when there were no spots. Many patients used to make "just in case" appointments and then cancel them at the last minute, leaving others unseen.

We haven't charged anyone yet, but the deterrent value alone is worth it.

I'm a real estate attorney. Occasionally, I will have to schedule one closing per hour for the entire day. Many times I have people who do not show up on time; sometimes, they show up hours and hours later, as if their appointment time was merely "suggested".

I have always wanted to charge these people a late fee, because they totally disrupt my schedule and adversely affect my staff...as well as all the other people who honor their appointment times.

You know why I can't?

Because I'm in a COMPETITIVE business. If I charged that fee, all the agents and loan originators would say, "Fine, next time we'll take our business to an attorney who doesn't OFFEND our clients".

Then again, if all the other real estate attorneys would charge a late fee, we'd ALL be protected from this menace. But it ain't gonna happen.

They can't afford to soak that up, apparently.

If you've ever been on the other side of it, people can be awfully inconsiderate. I know my time is treated as though it is of no value. But to me, it is. So people who make appointments to come to the office and then call seven times asking for directions, or don't come at all, or call to cancel at the last minute, are using up resources that could have gone elsewhere.

Over time, people cancelling and changing their minds takes up a lot of time to arrange. So it's not really fair to expect to take up their time for free.

Time is at a premium in this country - it may not be a physical commodity, but it's worth something.

Having to find the patient to take your slot takes up time. And it isn't necessarily always possible. It might indeed not fill up.

Whatever you do for a living, you wouldn't want it looked at that way.

Last time I had a regular doctor the cancellation fee was $50. That was about 15 years ago. He also charged you a $100 'admitting' fee if you had to go to the hospital. (The nurse made a phone call and let them know you were coming)

what's wrong with it...? it's been a very common practice for a LONG time...

there was even a seinfeld episode centered around the practice (and naturally it involved george).

i see nothing wrong with it whatsoever-

times, he will terminate you as his patient! I guess if he charged $25 for cancelled appointments, you would either have to pay it or change dentist. I guess the same goes for doctors - pay or change doctors - which most people don't want to do.

an appt canceled within 24 hours, and $75 if it's an OB/GYN appt. (She's board certified in both internal medicine and OB/GYN)

It seems to me that she applies it selectively, however. My hubby has canceled appts within one hour without being charged. I'd bet that it's used as a deterrent for people canceling appts without a second thought.

It's new around here, but it's catching on. If you have Worker's Comp, complicated insurance forms, etc. you pay an extra $25.

And no one pays for it. It's part of the job, they have to do it to keep patients, but it's not reimbursed.

I've seen Hubby get behind on paperwork at the office and bring home foot-high stacks. He sits on the couch and spends a few hours at night going through them. Disability forms alone are pages and pages of fine print and take forever to fill out. He does it, and the office is considering charging a fee for it. They have to fit it in with all the stuff that is reimbursed (hosptial visits to all 12 patients or so that are just his to cover, let alone when he's on-call and has to cover everyone's, and such), and he's often up until 2am just filling out all the paperwork and then turns around at rounds at 6:30.

Its $15.00 if I miss my appointment, which I have twice because I am an air head.

I'm a court reporter and if a deposition I'm scheduled to go to doesn't happen because a lawyer or a witness doesn't show up, I still expect to get paid a bust fee (usually $75) for driving or taking the train out to wherever it is.

If you make an appointment and can't come in or don't need to. Call and tell them ahead of time.

Charging a patient with mental illnesses $50 if they have a bad day and have problems remembering their monthly appointment?
Let's see - a person that's ADD or Bipolar can't get it together to make the appointment that was made a month ago, so instead of allowing them to call a couple hours before and reschedule it, let's charge them $50 for the missed appointment. And if it happens again - which it certainly will, the patient can easily end up paying an extra $300 a year just in those fees.
I'm the "taxi driver" in my family. I've called for a member of the family at 2:05 pm the day before their 2pm appointment, and was charged $50 for the reschedule - not cancellation - of that appointment. $50 because we were 5 minutes late calling in! And it's so hard finding a psych doctor that works with the patient, we don't want to go find another one just because even with insurance, we can't afford that fees.

It's a racket. I understand that there are a lot of people who blow off appointments - especially when all too often you are stuck making an appointment to see a doctor 4 months out. But damn, that 24 hour issue sucks. Especially when I can't count the times that we get to a doctor's office and find out they have to cancel because they were running late - and we didn't get the courtesy call that could have saved us a 10 mile drive in rush hour traffic.

There are no doctors you can go to in this area that don't stick you with a missed appointment fee, so we're stuck.

Haele

The therapist dinged him for five missed appointments because he called with less than 48 hours' notice due to being called out of town repeatedly. She also dinged me when I gave her 72 hours' notice of an appointment I knew I wasn't going to be able to be at.

If he'd called with an hour's notice, that would be one thing. Over 24 hours? It's a moneymaking opportunity.

We're no longer in her practice.

Julie

:(

waiting because they routinely overbook appointments.

It's a way way flow for the money though...into THEIR pocket!

I was talking about overbooking in post #145. They don't lose a damn thing if a patient has to cancel at the last minute.

in my experience, they don't always enforce it. If I've called early in the morning about a later appt., with a good excuse, they just reschedule for another day. Maybe I've just been lucky. OTOH, maybe it's better to keep a "customer" happy than to try to get that $25, which might cost more than it's worth to try to collect it.

before the appointment to remind me of the appointment. I think it is perfectly fair, although $25 is a bit steep. I also assume they'd allwo for a cancellation if extenuating circumstances come up.

I ALWAYS take along a book to read. A briefcase or laptop or AlphaSmart is even better--if you use it while you're waiting. The idea is, you _show_ them that your time is worth something too; you use it productively just as you would on a long business trip.

Just leafing thru the magazines or watching the waiting room's TV doesn't drive this lesson home. (Not to mention how many waiting rooms keep their TV tuned to Fox--arghhh!)

As for charging the doctor for your wait time. Luckily, long wait times have been pretty rare in my recent experience. [Except for "Quick Care" facilities). But I've often been tempted to charge businesses for the time I've had to spend writing letters, filling out forms, making phone calls etc. to straighten out _their_ mistakes. It can be considerable, and when you work at home as I do, it really does cut into YOUR productive time. Has anybody tried doing this? I bet if you'd get a bunch of invoices printed up, and phrase the time-expenditure charges right, some of the guilty outfits might actually pay.

you had to sit waiting in his office? OMG...the world would come to an end. You'd be ripping of that poor, poor doctor.

I think this is a GREAT idea, BTW!

Why do Americans have to get their way, to get even for perceived slights?
Why do they think the universe entitled them to fairness that most other people in the world could not even dream of?

Stop getting even or even wanting to get even.

Stop wanting to have that doctor think your time is as valuable as his time.

Actually, I would bet a dozen doughnuts that the doctor's time IS worth more than your time.

It's like my friend the computer worker who complains that nurses get so much credit for having an important job, as if a nurse's job is harder and more important than a computer programmer. It is. Too bad. Get over it.

I show up on time for any appointment I make. The least they could do is see me ON TIME. Your argument is bogus and ridiculous. Doctors don't walk on water, whether you think they do or not.

Why is that so offensive?

I don't worship my doctor, but their profession is almost more important to me when I'm sick than any other.

What's the big deal?

If I were delayed because he was golfing, that's another story. But if I'm delayed because he/she is seeing other patients, calling them at home, putting in their prescriptions and reviewing the latest lab reports and tests prior to each consult with the patient. Jeez, it would take an idiot to think that anybody's time in the waiting room at that moment was more important than what the Doc was doing.

And I do not work in health care.

And I renew my assertion that this thread is based on a petty complaint.

I also would like to add that the complain is reiterated over and over again, frequently with foul language.

Over squat.

$25.00 means SQUAT to you, but to people who don't have $25.00 it's a LOT of money. Again...your arrogance....

Gotta go. Going to see a movie!

Peace!

Especially since the swear words are the only ones you don't misspell.

:shrug:

I show up to my appointments at least 15 minutes early. I understand the long wait times. There have been times where I called that morning and the nurse squeezed me in. I remember the time I sliced my hand open and they took me straight back for stitches. I remember after having a horrible time scheduling my physical with my ObGyn, my GP worked me in the next day. I remember going to him for my depression and he sat there for 20 minutes while I cried and cried to him. He didn't just rush me off, he listened to me. (Oh and I called that morning and they squeezed me in that day too).

So I don't mind waiting. I'm not the only one he squeezes in at the last minute. I'm not the only one that has last minute emergencies. I'm not the only one that needs a little extra time with the doctor to discuss my issues. :shrug: That's why we wait, because there are emergencies that take precedence over me.

The $25 fee is for those patients that routinely miss appointments. I'm sure that as long as you call the day before, so they can fill it still, they wouldn't charge you. Or if you have a true emergency at the last minute, the important part is to call. You need to let them know as far in advance that you can't make it.

BTW, my cello teacher would charge me the whole hour if I didn't show for a lesson. :shrug:

If there are so many patients, then not showing up for your appointment and not canceling in reasonable time means someone else couldn't see the doctor that day AND the doctor's time was wasted.

Of course, most doctors seem to overbook already and barely spend any time with individual patients, so it's hard to see clearly.

I know...it's to set you up when you come in as "part or the disenfranchised" no matter WHO you ARE or your ABILITY or NON=Ability to PAY!

It kind of catches you up in the "Waiting Room" to put you "In your place" as to how they VIEW YOU as a patient suffering ....:-(

Hubby's often late with his patients. He feels awful about that and is trying to get better about that, but there are always good reasons.

*Patient didn't tell the scheduler the real reason for the appointment, which turns out to be serious and needs to get dealt with that day.

*Patient needed to get admitted to the hospital straight from the office. Each admission takes an hour, what with paperwork, phone calls, dealing with the patient and family, etc.

*Patient has a breakdown in the exam room and needs to be talked through whatever horrible health thing they're going through.

*Doctor gets stuck on phone with stupid insurance company.

*Doctor gets stuck at the hospital while rounding on the patients because patients actually want to ask questions and find out what's going on.

*Patient's family member calls to tell doctor what's really going on, and doctor has to get all that into the chart.

*Charts, disability forms, worker's comp stuff, insurance paperwork

*Doctor stuck in traffic back from the hospital.

*Patient arrives late but really needs to be seen so sets back the entire morning.

*More and more and more.

Edited for clarity

I'm well prepared to wait for a 10 hour callback from one of my Dad's Drs. I've been in the hospital with him enough to gauge the situation. :)

My internist is amazing. I can usually get in with her same day or the next day, but sometimes I have a wait. I don't care--I know she spends time with me.

Nothing like having to call an ambulance to the office to set you back an hour or so. People make an appt for toe fungus and then he finds out while they are sobbing that they are suicidal after a divorce. A million reasons appts go over time alloted. But when it is your turn he give you one hundred percent of what you need timewise even if others have to wait.

you sure seem to hate doctors. So much vitriol. You argue that they are paid too much, that their time isn't valuable, that because they are paid so much and/or are busy their patients should be able to freely cancel appointments with little warning (yes I mean 23 hours). Your argument makes little sense. The person who suggested you are behaving like a prima donna is probably on to something...

??

Every practice is different.

Oh, and most doctors' spouses I know don't read AMNews and Medical Economics like I do.